I woke up yesterday morning to new music from @beyonce, featuring none other than my banjo and viola playing throughout. On the heels of her SUPER BOWL commercial album announcement, her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” is the first off her new country-inspired record, #actii. The beginning is a solo riff on my minstrel banjo – and my only hope is that it might lead a few more intrepid folks into the exciting history of the banjo. I used to say many times as soon as Beyonce puts the banjo on a track my job is done. Well, I didn’t expect the banjo to be mine, and I know darn well my job isn’t done, but today is a pretty good day. Listen now, on repeat. 🤠🪕🐝
February 7 Titus Kaphar Titus Kaphar is a fantastic visual artist who uses his medium to center African American subjects in historical contexts – so many times I have seen a piece of work and go OMG that’s freaking brilliant, who did that? And it’s him. From a recent Times article: “Mr. Kaphar, 42, has a profound connection to the forgotten, from the slaves owned by the founding fathers to the ubiquity of African-Americans in the criminal justice system, including his own father. The recipient of a recent MacArthur “genius” award, the artist is challenging racism in a body of strong work that has entered the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the Yale University Art Gallery, and was recently featured at the National Portrait Gallery. Mr. Kaphar is known for appropriating images from American and European art in order to subvert them, cutting them into his canvases to pull back the velvet curtain of history. He wields materials like tar, wire, gold leaf and nails to unearth the past’s inconvenient truths, and to shine a restorative light on those residing in the shadows.” He’s also bringing the next generation up with him, founding an arts incubator in the center of New Haven, CT. Check out his work – it’s stunning and thought-provoking…and unflinching, too. See below, Behind the Myth of Benevolence, 2014
February 10 Tracy Chapman // @tracychapmanonline It figures that one of the years I decide not to go to the GRAMMYS is the year they KILL it. Look, I know when to criticize, and I know when to praise. And it’s praise time for the whoever produced the afternoon ceremony AND the nighttime awards. Not that they care what I think lol but it’s so nice to see a wonderful singer songwriter that we have all admired, who opened the door for so many, to be invited back to the stage to sing one of her many beautiful songs (and in some fierce jeans, to boot – after my own heart!). @allisonrussellmusic, @sistastrings, @thebrandyclark, @brandicarlile, @jonimitchell…the list goes on and on. Much, much love to the folks changing the industry from the inside. And @lukecombs – thanks for covering it and making it all possible. Ok! Here it is- the clip you’ve all seen but I’m gonna post it again because…WHY NOT. It’s beautiful. Watch it again at the link in stories!
Feb 11: Black Banjo Renaissance Post #1 Joe Thompson and the Carolina Chocolate Drops I’d like to focus this week on what I’m calling the current Black Banjo Rennaisance- historians like Kristina Gaddy putting out beautiful books about early black banjo history, young folks like Jake Blount releasing black banjo music, and in general the profile of the banjo getting a more nuanced view. Taj Mahal, Earl White, Otis Taylor, Etta Baker, Sule Greg Wilson, the Ebony Hillbillies – these are among the folks keeping the legacy of the banjo in black hands alive in the years before 2005, but when the Black Banjo Gathering happened in that year it kickstarted a slowburning but new resurgence in black banjo playing. One of the things that happened there was the meeting of the young people who eventually became the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and their connection to elder Joe Thompson. The original CCD was: me, Justin Robinson, and Dom Flemons. Justin and Dom have both gone on to do many wonderful things highlighting African American contributions in music and foodways, and i’ll feature them later in the week. But it all started with Joe. This from my essay for Oxford American some time ago: “Joe Thompson was the last in his family’s line of community musicians. He learned the fiddle from his father, and his brother learned the banjo from an uncle; as soon as they were old enough, they took over the family band and played for the local square dances—the black and the white. They were part of a dying tradition: musicians from the community playing functional music for social dances, not to make a living but because that’s simply what they did. They were also among the last living links to a vast black string band tradition that used to be spread all over the South and other parts of the U.S. but had slowly disappeared until very few were left. And they were swallowed up by the wider societal notion that fiddle and banjo music was strictly a white preserve. [cont.]
Feb 11: Black Banjo Renaissance Post #1 Joe Thompson and the Carolina Chocolate Drops I’d like to focus this week on what I’m calling the current Black Banjo Rennaisance- historians like Kristina Gaddy putting out beautiful books about early black banjo history, young folks like Jake Blount releasing black banjo music, and in general the profile of the banjo getting a more nuanced view. Taj Mahal, Earl White, Otis Taylor, Etta Baker, Sule Greg Wilson, the Ebony Hillbillies – these are among the folks keeping the legacy of the banjo in black hands alive in the years before 2005, but when the Black Banjo Gathering happened in that year it kickstarted a slowburning but new resurgence in black banjo playing. One of the things that happened there was the meeting of the young people who eventually became the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and their connection to elder Joe Thompson. The original CCD was: me, Justin Robinson, and Dom Flemons. Justin and Dom have both gone on to do many wonderful things highlighting African American contributions in music and foodways, and i’ll feature them later in the week. But it all started with Joe. This from my essay for Oxford American some time ago: “Joe Thompson was the last in his family’s line of community musicians. He learned the fiddle from his father, and his brother learned the banjo from an uncle; as soon as they were old enough, they took over the family band and played for the local square dances—the black and the white. They were part of a dying tradition: musicians from the community playing functional music for social dances, not to make a living but because that’s simply what they did. They were also among the last living links to a vast black string band tradition that used to be spread all over the South and other parts of the U.S. but had slowly disappeared until very few were left. And they were swallowed up by the wider societal notion that fiddle and banjo music was strictly a white preserve. [cont.]
Feb 14 Black Banjo Renaissance #3 Taj Mahal // @tajmahalblues The one of a kind Taj Mahal has been before his time for a lonnnnnng time – talking about the history of the banjo and exploring and incorporating Caribbean, African and other influences into his blues for years. He’s a scholar of the blues and a mentor for the up-and-coming- he was uncle to the Carolina Chocolate Drops when they started and has remained a guiding star for those of us wanting to stay real, stay true, and stay authentic to the heart of our culture. Play on, Taj! More at the links in stories.
February 5 Black Forager @blackforager Alexis Nikole Nelson is taking back foraging, and connecting it to larger issues of land ownership and history, and she’s freaking hilarious to boot. She shows you the wonders in your own back yard (or cemetery!) AND how to cook them. Read a great piece on Alexis in @npr at the link in stories! Photo: Tim Johnson / Columbus Monthly Magazine
Feb 15 Black Banjo Renaissance #4 Jake Blount / @jake.m.blount So it has been so amazing to see the next generation pick up the banjo and RUN with it. I first met Jake at a fiddle camp and was immediately struck with his talent, his growing knowledge, and his desire to do for the culture. He has been putting out project after project since then, and is not only a fantastic musician but a keen scholar (who is currently in grad school!). The reclamation of this music is not just about history, but it’s about community – we are all in community together across generational lines, class, and regional borders. The music pulls us together. Go on ‘head, banjo nephew! It’s so great to see all you do! 📸: Michelle Lotker
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!
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!
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!
An event as momentous and empowering as the March on Washington required a soundtrack that was equally inspiring — “Home” by Rhiannon Giddens fits that bill perfectly. #GeniusMLKX is now streaming on @DisneyPlus and @hulu.
Day of Rest Here’s a picture from last night’s amazing first show of the tour just outside Paris at the @maccreteil, with my soul sister @leylacello who had played a superb set earlier in the evening- we got to sing together on my set. Always great to see family on the road!
Mar 1 Black Banjo Renaissance Cedric Watson // @cedric.watson_bijou.creole Just one more for luck – Cedric Watson is well known as an incredible musician on fiddle and accordion from Louisiana, and was seen earlier in the series playing with Leyla on Pa Janvier. But he’s also a great banjo player – I just thought I’d highlight it before leaving the series because he has a really sweet, ancestral sound on that gourd.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Feb 29 Black Banjo Renaissance Rewind Fort Worth African American Roots Festival // @fwaamfest I’m using this bonus day in February to repost about the Fort Worth African American Roots Festival run by Brandi Waller-Pace @brandipacemusic, because last time I used the flyer as the photo, and in Facebook land, if they suspect there’s money involved, they want their share, so they throttle it. So here are some amazing photos of some of the folks who have played at past Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival! Please help support, it’s right around the corner! This year there will be Lizzie No, Corey Harris, Jerron Paxton, Joy Clark, and many others.
Black Banjo Renaissance Post #2 The Fort Worth African American Roots Festival This groundbreaking festival is single-handedly run by my pal Brandi Waller-Pace – and she’s making it happen! Bringing together the folks of the black acoustic music community to support each other and to represent their art to the Texas public. One of the hallmarks of this current movement writ large is community- we are lifting each other up, supporting each other, shouting each other out and making it better for all. I’m so proud to be a part of it! Check out the festival, and if you can’t go, think about supporting what you can. www.fwaamfest.com @fwaamfest @decolonizingthemusicroom @brandipacemusic @jakeblount @bassic_nelson @mphobenjaminhunter @miles.spicer
February 9 Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams // @msalicerandall @caroranwill Author, lyricist, historian, and all around incredible brain Alice Randall is the first black woman to have penned a number one country hit -“XXXs and OOOs (An American Girl)”, sung by Trisha Yearwood in 1994 and also by Matraca Berg- and has been ringing the bell for the true history of country music for years. She’s just released My Black Country, a memoir of her years in Nashville – check it outtttt. And it looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; Alice’s daughter Caroline is an incredible writer, poet, and educator – a lot of folks got hipped to her when she published a stunning Op-Ed in the New York Times entitled “You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is a Confederate Monument.” She also wrote the beautiful poem collection Lucy Negro, Redux, which was turned into the ballet that Francesco and I wrote the music for. A lot of talent in one family! links to more stories!
February 8 Abel Selaocoe // @abelselaocoe This brilliant young musician from South Africa is challenging the parameters of classical music, integrating improvisation, singing, body percussion and non-Western modes into his performance style and repertoire. He’s making waves! Watch him play (and sing) at the links in stories! Photo Credit: Antonio Olmos/The Observer
February 6 Imani Winds // @imaniwinds Okay GRAMMYS! Y’all better do it with those ceremonies! So much meaningful music and performances Sunday, regardless of trophies – big heart to the folks putting that stuff together – felt realer than for a long time. For today I’d love to highlight one of the winners from Sunday, the Imani Winds Quintet. This ground breaking ensemble (whose name means “Faith” in Swahili”) was started by flutist Valerie Coleman in 1997 and has since toured the world, started a non-profit and festival, and been accorded numerous awards and honors. My son has just started to learn bassoon and I can’t wait to show him this group! Learn more (and listen) at the link in stories!
