Beguiling banjos
Appalachia meets Africa at Levitt Pavilion
By John Sollenberger 08/26/2010
Interest in the banjo spiked with the back-and-forth interplay of the hit song “Dueling Banjos” in the 1970s movie “Deliverance.” In America, the instrument has historically been associated with Americana sounds like bluegrass and country. However, the banjo’s roots are really in Africa, having evolved from ancient instruments created there.
Canadian banjo virtuoso Jayme Stone displays the range of capabilities — from the familiar to the adventurous — Friday night at Levitt Pavilion.
Stone became hooked on the banjo as a child, through recordings at his local library. That led to studies with greats including Béla Fleck and Bill Frisell. The virtuosity he gained eventually won him the Juno Award for his album, “The Utmost.”
Several years ago, Stone traveled to Africa in search of banjo ancestors. He came back with a treasure trove of knowledge about West African music and the stringed instruments that, in the US, eventually became the banjo we’re now familiar with.
The result of the trip was his adventurous 2008 album, “Africa to Appalachia,” featuring sounds of both regions, available on his Web site, jaymestone.com.
Music starts at 8 p.m. Friday at Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park, corner of North Raymond Avenue and Walnut Street, Pasadena. Admission is free. Call (626) 683-3230 or visit levittpavilionpasadena.org.
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT