Recent Media Additions

Minstrelsy evolved from several different American entertainment traditions; the traveling circus, medicine shows, shivaree, Irish dance and music with African syncopated rhythms, musical halls and traveling theatre.

From the Science Channel's Series, "How It's Made." Construction of a banjo.

Ekona Diatta, master of the Jola akonting (ekonting) plays at kanjunka. Kanjunka is near the village of Mlomp in southern Senegal. We are on the Southern shore of the Cassamance River. The Jolas of Mlomp relate that the Jola people received the akonting (ekonting) form their neighbors the Manjagos at some time in the distant past, right here in Kanjanka.

The akonting (or ekonting) is one of almost 60 documented plucked spike lutes found in West Africa, and is considered by some musicologists to be (at the least) one of the primary ancestors of the African/American instrument which became the gourd banjo. Despite its simple appearance, the akonking is capable of sophisticated and fascinating musical expression. It is now, however, only rarely played in the Senegambia -- the region of its origin.

One of my favorite old time tunes. I play Darlin Cori in low "c" tuning. I love the warm mellow sound of a gourd banjo. It's a more similar instrument to the original banjo made on plantations by African slaves all through out the southern US and carribean. My Banjo was created by Barry Sholder in Georgia.

"Walk Right In" Gus Cannon Documentary Cannon's Jug Stompers

Blind James Campbell String Band "John Henry"

John H. Scruggs (May 1855 – 5 March 1941), known as Uncle John Scruggs, was an African American banjo player who attracted attention for his singing and playing during the 1920s and '30s.

Scruggs was born to slave parents Henry and Betsey Scruggs in 1855, in Buckingham County, Virginia, where he spent almost his entire life. A film exists of him performing the folk ballad “Little Log Cabin Round the Lane” in a minstrel style.

During The Symposium on Affrilachia, CeCe Conway (Appalachian State University, author "African Banjo Echoes in Appalachia") & Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops) gave a presentation on the Banjo, Black Banjo Gathering & the progression of the banjo through the creation of various genres of American music. Hosted by University of Kentucky's Africana Studies Program. Organized by Frank X Walker.

Blacks and Vaudeville