Folk artist @rhiannongiddens plays banjo on Beyoncé’s new single, “Texas Hold ’Em.” Through her music, Giddens highlights the banjo’s unsung Black history. Last year, she sat down with @anthonymasoncbs for an in-depth interview.
I wrote a little thing for @guardian – I wish I could have included more but there was a 800 word limit – so no mention of the commercial side of Bristol, or the white supremacy-laden early folk movement, or of say, Leslie Riddle and DeFord Bailey – but with help from my banjo brain trust (amazing minds who have done a ton of research on the banjo), I figured out a way to make every word count for the thing I know best – black string band music and the world BEFORE commerical country. And that’s the world you rarely see mentioned when people talk about Black folk in country music. Anyway, check it out. Link in stories!
Feb 16 Black Banjo Renaissance #5 The Banjo Research Community I am merely a reporter and public historian, and I absolutely NEED the academics, researchers, and all around geniuses who have been doing the amazing excavation of the true history of the banjo for years now. I’m gonna lay down my top five favorite sources for the work I do – this community is tight-knit, and they support each other and check each other’s work. It’s beautiful and I’m grateful for them all. The OG: Dena Epstein, with Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War This book completely shook up the banjo research world – Dena Epstein was a librarian who painstakingly and over the course of years tracked down primary source references to banjo-type instruments in the hands of black people; this was during a time when very few people believed that the banjo had anything to do with Afro-Caribbean culture. We all stand on her shoulders! The NewG Kristina Gaddy, with Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History This recent publication took my breath away – Kristina has found new sources, reframed old ones, and in general talks about what I always new in my heart – that the banjo, far from just a dance instrument, was in fact a spiritual and cultural center for African-diasporic peoples during the time of slavery. Phil Jamison, with Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Phil blew my mind years ago when he told this little black girl dance caller that African Americans have been doing it for years, and in fact most likely invented the iconic square dance calling style we all associate with mountain dance today. The whole book is a treasure. (Cont.)
Feb 16 Black Banjo Renaissance #5 The Banjo Research Community I am merely a reporter and public historian, and I absolutely NEED the academics, researchers, and all around geniuses who have been doing the amazing excavation of the true history of the banjo for years now. I’m gonna lay down my top five favorite sources for the work I do – this community is tight-knit, and they support each other and check each other’s work. It’s beautiful and I’m grateful for them all. The OG: Dena Epstein, with Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War This book completely shook up the banjo research world – Dena Epstein was a librarian who painstakingly and over the course of years tracked down primary source references to banjo-type instruments in the hands of black people; this was during a time when very few people believed that the banjo had anything to do with Afro-Caribbean culture. We all stand on her shoulders! The NewG Kristina Gaddy, with Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History This recent publication took my breath away – Kristina has found new sources, reframed old ones, and in general talks about what I always new in my heart – that the banjo, far from just a dance instrument, was in fact a spiritual and cultural center for African-diasporic peoples during the time of slavery. Phil Jamison, with Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Phil blew my mind years ago when he told this little black girl dance caller that African Americans have been doing it for years, and in fact most likely invented the iconic square dance calling style we all associate with mountain dance today. The whole book is a treasure. (Cont.)
Feb 16 Black Banjo Renaissance #5 The Banjo Research Community I am merely a reporter and public historian, and I absolutely NEED the academics, researchers, and all around geniuses who have been doing the amazing excavation of the true history of the banjo for years now. I’m gonna lay down my top five favorite sources for the work I do – this community is tight-knit, and they support each other and check each other’s work. It’s beautiful and I’m grateful for them all. The OG: Dena Epstein, with Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War This book completely shook up the banjo research world – Dena Epstein was a librarian who painstakingly and over the course of years tracked down primary source references to banjo-type instruments in the hands of black people; this was during a time when very few people believed that the banjo had anything to do with Afro-Caribbean culture. We all stand on her shoulders! The NewG Kristina Gaddy, with Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History This recent publication took my breath away – Kristina has found new sources, reframed old ones, and in general talks about what I always new in my heart – that the banjo, far from just a dance instrument, was in fact a spiritual and cultural center for African-diasporic peoples during the time of slavery. Phil Jamison, with Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Phil blew my mind years ago when he told this little black girl dance caller that African Americans have been doing it for years, and in fact most likely invented the iconic square dance calling style we all associate with mountain dance today. The whole book is a treasure. (Cont.)
Feb 16 Black Banjo Renaissance #5 The Banjo Research Community I am merely a reporter and public historian, and I absolutely NEED the academics, researchers, and all around geniuses who have been doing the amazing excavation of the true history of the banjo for years now. I’m gonna lay down my top five favorite sources for the work I do – this community is tight-knit, and they support each other and check each other’s work. It’s beautiful and I’m grateful for them all. The OG: Dena Epstein, with Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War This book completely shook up the banjo research world – Dena Epstein was a librarian who painstakingly and over the course of years tracked down primary source references to banjo-type instruments in the hands of black people; this was during a time when very few people believed that the banjo had anything to do with Afro-Caribbean culture. We all stand on her shoulders! The NewG Kristina Gaddy, with Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History This recent publication took my breath away – Kristina has found new sources, reframed old ones, and in general talks about what I always new in my heart – that the banjo, far from just a dance instrument, was in fact a spiritual and cultural center for African-diasporic peoples during the time of slavery. Phil Jamison, with Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Phil blew my mind years ago when he told this little black girl dance caller that African Americans have been doing it for years, and in fact most likely invented the iconic square dance calling style we all associate with mountain dance today. The whole book is a treasure. (Cont.)
Feb 16 Black Banjo Renaissance #5 The Banjo Research Community I am merely a reporter and public historian, and I absolutely NEED the academics, researchers, and all around geniuses who have been doing the amazing excavation of the true history of the banjo for years now. I’m gonna lay down my top five favorite sources for the work I do – this community is tight-knit, and they support each other and check each other’s work. It’s beautiful and I’m grateful for them all. The OG: Dena Epstein, with Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War This book completely shook up the banjo research world – Dena Epstein was a librarian who painstakingly and over the course of years tracked down primary source references to banjo-type instruments in the hands of black people; this was during a time when very few people believed that the banjo had anything to do with Afro-Caribbean culture. We all stand on her shoulders! The NewG Kristina Gaddy, with Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History This recent publication took my breath away – Kristina has found new sources, reframed old ones, and in general talks about what I always new in my heart – that the banjo, far from just a dance instrument, was in fact a spiritual and cultural center for African-diasporic peoples during the time of slavery. Phil Jamison, with Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Phil blew my mind years ago when he told this little black girl dance caller that African Americans have been doing it for years, and in fact most likely invented the iconic square dance calling style we all associate with mountain dance today. The whole book is a treasure. (Cont.)
Feb 18 Black Banjo Renaissance #7 Leyla McCalla // @leylacello Leyla, a classically trained cellist who is also a beautiful 4-string banjo player and guitarist, has been part of both the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Our Native Daughters. Her solo work since has been at once grounded in her Haitian heritage and also far reaching in sound world and artistic creativity. Her first record was a combination of Haitian songs and a spare, beautiful setting of a cycle of Langston Hughes poetry, and her subsequent records have continued to excavate the cultural connections between Haiti, her home of Louisiana, and the larger questions of the role of art within the body politic.
Feb 21 Black Banjo Renaissance #10 Well…Me, I guess. It’s my birthday. I guess I will use today’s post to highlight some of the work I’ve done to tell the history of the banjo. I don’t know why this mission has been so obsessive for me – ever since playing with Joe Thompson I have wanted to do my part to tell the true history of America’s music. It’s all I eat, drink and breathe (along with yarn lol) that it gets to be a bit much sometimes! There are so many of us on this journey – and the knowledge being constantly discovered details, redefines, reframes and sometimes rebuts things that have been said before. The art of research is scientific – you constantly have to update your theories based on the discoveries by your colleagues. You cannot often truck in absolutes, especially in the history of poor people, who are rarely talked about in document form as much as the rich. Creativity, humility, generosity, and collaboration are needed every minute of every day; we have to check each other with warmth and joy. I’m so lucky to have found my ever-expanding group of folks who are dedicated to finding as much truth as possible. Because the truth sets us free – free from division, free from objectification, free from assimilation, and free from manipulation. Because in the truth we see how similar we really are. And that has always been humans superpower – to see ourselves in each other. The truth is the music of America is cross cultural – we focus on the Black strands at the moment because they have been suppressed for so long. But the backdrop contains multitudes. (con’t)
Feb 24 Black Banjo Renaissance #14 Kaia Kater // @kaiakater I first met Kaia some time ago when she was just a kid still learning how to play the banjo – even then she was better than me! Ever since then she has been building her career as a banjoist, singer, and song writer – she is a compelling artist, an impeccable instrumentalist, and poetic soul. Look out for new music from her coming later this spring. Fun fact – she is the second Canadian-Grenadian banjo player on this list! (First one was @allisonrussellmusic) 🙂
So it only seems fair to feature my actual banjo nephew on this, the day of his birth. Justin Harrington, aka Demeanor @demxmusic, has been doing the impossible – combining clawhammer banjo, bones, beats and rap while advocating for rap as a folk form. He attended the Black Banjo Gathering at age 5, where he received his first pair of bones from elder Cliff Irvin, and has since soaked up every bit of vibe from his aunt’s folk world and his own hip hop world. He is also a fierce organizer, being an important voice on the Greensboro scene for truth and justice. His groundbreaking rap set at the Newport Folk Festival paved the way for Killer MIke, who is there this year, and he is active in the playback theatre scene in North Carolina; he also tours with Jake Blount (he is featured on that Tiny Desk). He is also a presenter and creator of the Underground Everywhere video series. He is a young man to be proud of, even if we weren’t related. Git it, Demeanor! Pic by @karencoxphotography
Hey, all you new lovers of Black Girl Banjo Magic… We got you!!! Head on over to Apple Podcasts (link in Stories) to hear this fantastic conversation between two of the most potent and profound voices in the world of reclaiming Black country/roots music.
Feb 20 Black Banjo Renaissance #9 Allison Russell // @allisonrussellmusic She hardly needs the exposure here but can’t not mention my Our Native Daughters bandmate and spirit sis Alli – she plays a mean banjo (and clarinet too!) and has been bringing light and beauty to the realm of Americana music for years; recently she has turned up the wattage and been advocating for the #RainbowCoalition – we all deserve to be fought for and to stand together against bigotry, racism, and all the negative things bringing this country down. Allison is leading the charge and writing beautiful music to go with it. Fight on, Alli!!! We’re all right there with you.
Feb 17 Black Banjo Renaissance #6 Hubby Jenkins // @hubbyjenkins Hubby Jenkins is a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who stepped into the Carolina Chocolate Drops when Justin Robinson retired, and made it possible for us to keep going. Equally adept at clawhammer banjo, guitar, mandolin, and rhythm bones, Hubby also has an extensive and varied repertoire, and great stage presence. He has roots in North Carolina but is Brooklyn born and bred and is a big part of the New York folk scene- don’t try to tell him anything is better than a New York slice!
Feb 17 Black Banjo Renaissance #6 Hubby Jenkins // @hubbyjenkins Hubby Jenkins is a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who stepped into the Carolina Chocolate Drops when Justin Robinson retired, and made it possible for us to keep going. Equally adept at clawhammer banjo, guitar, mandolin, and rhythm bones, Hubby also has an extensive and varied repertoire, and great stage presence. He has roots in North Carolina but is Brooklyn born and bred and is a big part of the New York folk scene- don’t try to tell him anything is better than a New York slice!
Feb 28 Black Banjo Renaissance #18 Dom Flemons @domflemons, Justin Robinson @countrygentlemancooks, Jerron Paxton @jerron_paxton, Valerie June @thevaleriejune Well I hit the end of the month and am almost out of days! I could keep going into March but I I am going to end the series tomorrow. But I didn’t want to go without mentioning these also very fine folk! If I’ve missed folks you think i should have covered (they need to be of color and play banjo), put them in the comments for the next time! Justin Robinson, a founder of the original CCD, has continued playing music but out of the spotlight. He has switched a lot of his focus to Afro-Carolinian foodways and culture, and educates on his instagram channel. Dom Flemons is a spectacular multi-instrumentalist, historian and educator who is the other original Chocolate Drop. He has won many accolades and has especially been enlightening many about the history of the Black Cowboy. Jerron Paxton is an incredible musician and entertainer, and conjures up the old sound impeccably while always putting his own stamp on it. Valerie June plays powerful uplifting music and advocates for self-wellness. She is an author, speaker, and educator -and that banjo is still in the midst of it all!
Oh my goodness Brussels! This tour is heating up- all the shows have been amazing so far! Its Hamburg Sat at a sold out @elbphilharmonie!
Feb 23 Black Banjo Renaissance #12 Dr Angela Wellman and the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music // @wellmanangela @blackbanjofiddle I first met Angela Wellman years ago when we were both working on an amazing black Vaudeville project for Old Town School of Folk Music – she is an amazing artist on the trombone in addition to being an educator, and I knew then we would keep in each other’s orbits. Since then, she has embarked on a parallel journey of the banjo and has furthermore opened up a school dedicated the passing on of black music traditions in her community of Oakland in California. Her dedication to the generations to come is beyond inspiring. Check out the school and support if you can!
Feb 26 Black Banjo Renaissance # 14 Amythyst Kiah // @amythystkiah I first heard a video of Amythyst on youtube singing “Trouble So Hard” and I was blown away – the soul coming from her was just so potent and so beautiful. Every time I have gotten to work with her since that first moment of discovery I am impressed anew with the power she can gather with her voice, her banjo, and her guitar. Pic by Lynn Donovan Photography
Feb 22 Black Banjo Renaissance #11 Otis Taylor // @otistaylortranceblues Otis Taylor is a musician who has never stopped searching. A deep thinking multi-instrumentalist, he has used his trance blues as an idiom to explore the stories of African American life, and in 2008 released his first banjo album Recapturing the Banjo, with Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis, Corey Harris, Keb’ Mo’, and previous BBR subject Don Vappie (#8). Just this year he has released his second banjo record, entitled ‘Banjo…” Pic by @michaelweintrob
Feb 19 Black Banjo Renaissance #8 Don Vappie // @vappiedon When talking about the black banjo renaissance it’s important to also talk about the folks who have been carrying on the lineage, often out of the mainstream spotlight. Don Vappie is an incredible guitarist and 4-string tenor banjo player who represents the Creole jazz culture of New Orleans and is an important example of someone steeped in tradition from childhood who is still carrying it on today, and innovating as well, in that same place. People of color never stopped playing banjos, contrary to popular belief – the numbers dwindled massively for various reasons too long to go into on this particular post (and in some places died out completely) – but some folks just keep on keeping on. And beautifully so.
Hey this is cool – I wrote a song called “Home” for this series and it aired this week! @francescoturrisimusic and I recorded it in Ireland with @ben.rawlins. Episode 406 of this great series of Genius about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X; available on @hulu, @disneyplus, and @natgeo. Check it out!
Feb 27 Black Banjo Renaissance #17 Tray Wellington // @traywellington I grew up hearing the sounds of bluegrass; my uncle was a bluegrass guitarist and his band Southeast Express was a staple of my childhood. But I had never met a black bluegrass banjoist until I met Tray – and was quickly blown away by his talent, chops, and compositional brain. He is an integral part of the new youth movement including @jake.m.blount, @kaiakater and Justin Harrington @demxmusic and it’s a delight to see them go!
Excited to hear that ‘Omar’ is being rebroadcast!! @_michaelabels Tune into @crbclassical TONIGHT at 7p EST to hear @bostonlyricopera’s performance of ‘Omar’ on air, on their app, or online. Link in stories!
