Southern Avenue
Southern Avenue is one of the defining forces in modern roots music, led by modern-day blues queen and master of Memphis soul Tierinii Jackson Naftaly. With a voice steeped in gospel, blues, and the rich musical traditions of Memphis, Jackson brings an extraordinary combination of power, soul, and commanding presence to the band’s sound and electrifying live performances. Alongside her, Ori Naftaly brings his own formidable legacy as a guitarist, songwriter, and architect of Southern Avenue’s sound, drawing from the deep roots of the blues while pushing the music toward fearless rock & roll and new territory. Together, Jackson and Naftaly create a sound that is unmistakably Southern Avenue—deeply rooted in Memphis, fiercely contemporary, and built to leave a lasting mark.
Their 2025 Alligator Records debut album Family earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards and solidified Southern Avenue’s place at the forefront of contemporary American music. The album was praised for its deeply personal songwriting, genre-defying musicianship, and uplifting spirit, while earning airplay across Americana, Triple-A, blues, roots, jamband, and college radio formats worldwide. Family reached #1 on the Global Blues Radio Charts in the U.K., Top 5 in the U.S. and Canada, and Top 10 in France and Australia. NPR Music also featured the record on its “Best Albums of the Week” list and playlist.
Southern Avenue’s momentum continued with major industry recognition, including being named 2025 Band of the Year by Living Blues and receiving 2026 Blues Music Award nominations for Band of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Beyond the band’s success, Tierinii Jackson Naftaly has emerged as a celebrated songwriter and vocalist in her own right. In 2026, the soundtrack for the feature film Sinners won the GRAMMY Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. Jackson contributed the original song “Can’t Win for Losin’,” co-written and performed with Cedric Burnside, along with a standout rendition of “Wang Dang Doodle” featuring Burnside and Sharde Thomas-Malloy.
Known for explosive live performances and emotional authenticity, Southern Avenue has appeared on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and tours, including the 2024 Outlaw Tour alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Bob Dylan; the Chicago Blues Festival main stage; AmericanaFest; XPoNential Music Festival; and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Additional highlights include performances celebrating B.B. King’s 100th birthday, multiple appearances on Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, dates with Dave Matthews Band and Trombone Shorty, and international touring throughout Canada, Denmark, Norway, and the U.K.
“Unforgettable music and electric performances...Southern Avenue showcase the soul of Memphis. Their stories resonate long after the last note of music fades” --Rolling Stone
Social Stats
Spotify Monthly Listeners
100 K
Instagram Followers
20.6 k
YouTube Subscribers
7.33 K
Facebook Followers
42 K
Marketing Materials
What’s Next for SOUTHERN AVENUE?
SOUTHERN AVENUE continues a dynamic run of headline shows and sought-after festival appearances in support of their acclaimed 2025 album, Family. Following a year of major recognition—including being named Living Blues magazine’s 2025 Band of the Year, earning their second GRAMMY nomination, and receiving three 2026 Blues Music Award nominations for Band of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Contemporary Blues Album—the band is already looking ahead. Behind the scenes, Southern Avenue is writing and developing new material that will take shape as their next album, continuing their evolution as one of Memphis’ most compelling modern roots bands.
CONTACT: Marc Lipkin / Alligator Records / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com
www.alligator.com
Contacts
Management
Luke Pierce
Manager
WORKS Entertainment - Nashville, TN
310-595-6771
luke@worksentertainment.com
David Britz
Manager
WORKS Entertainment - Los Angeles, CA
310-734-4803
david@worksentertainment.com
Kristy Reis
Day-to-Day Manager
WORKS Entertainment - Nashville, TN
937-232-8417
kristy@worksentertainment.com
PUBLICITY & MARKETING
Marc Lipkin
Global Head of Publicity & Communications
Alligator Records
773-973-7736 x235
publicity@allig.com
Kyle Novak
Director of Marketing & Merchandising
WORKS Entertainment
909-815-2211
kyle@worksentertainment.com
Agency ContactS
U.S. & Worldwide:
Jordan Burger
Royal Artist Group
jordan.b@royalartistgroup.com
Scandinavia:
Flemming Christensen
Marsk Music
info@marskmusic.dk