The Grammy Award–winning Carolina Chocolate Drops bid farewell to founding member Dom Flemons who is starting a solo career after a special December US tour to commemorate his time with the band. Led by co-founder Rhiannon Giddens, the band will tour throughout 2014 with Hubby Jenkins and two new musicians, cellist Malcolm Parson and multi-instrumentalist Rowan Corbett, who will join the group in the New Year.

“Dom and I have been a tremendous team for the last eight years, and I wish him all the best on his new solo endeavor. I know he will be enriching the landscape of American music wherever he goes,” said Drops co-founder Rhiannon Giddens. “Carolina Chocolate Drops lives on, and honors all past members who have added so much over the years; we wouldn't be where we are without each and every one. I'm looking forward to introducing new, talented musicians to the ever-expanding Chocolate Drop family!”

“Though my music is taking me to new places with my upcoming solo projects, I know that the Carolina Chocolate Drops will continue on to do new, amazing things,” said Dom Flemons. “My past eight years with the band has been a wonderful experience, musically and personally. As my music grows in a new direction, I know I can count my time with them as a building block to where I am now. I am excited to continue on my musical journey exploring the hidden facets of American Music.” Flemons will kick off 2014 with a tour of Australia, and continue performing across the US throughout the year (full schedule at www.DomFlemons.com).

The band’s upcoming December tour dates come on the heels of Rhiannon Giddens’ show-stopping performance at the T Bone Burnett and Joel and Ethan Coen–produced Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis concert this fall at New York’s famed Town Hall. Variety said “the breakout star of the evening’s second half was indisputably Rhiannon Giddens…who held the capacity crowd spellbound,” and the Wall Street Journal added that Giddens “channeled gloriously the spirit of Odetta.” The concert will be broadcast on Showtime beginning December 13.

Nonesuch released its second record from the Carolina Chocolate Drops—the Grammy-nominated Leaving Eden—in 2012. The band’s first Nonesuch release, the critically acclaimed Genuine Negro Jig, won a Best Traditional Folk Album Grammy.

CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS ON TOUR IN DECEMBER