Black Banjo Songsters of North Carolina and Virginia

“The sounds and social history of African American banjo playing – 32 superb instrumentals and vocals, recorded between 1974 and 1997. Extensively annotated with performers’ life histries, tunings, lyrics, bibliography, and discography. The banjo’s gourd ancestors came to the Americas with enslaved Africans, forging the link between West African griots and performers of 20th-century blues and string-band music.” (album note)

Details: Smithsonian Folkways 40097

Listen:

1. Dink Roberts: Roustabout
2. Etta Baker and Cora Phillips: Jaybird March