For students, teachers, alumni, and anyone else interested in banjo at Mars Hill Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week

26 Members, Created 3/5/2011 -

Administrators: ChuckJo (owner)

Daniel Jatta and Chuck Levy present "The Banjo: African Roots, American Branches".

From ChuckJo on 7/14/2011 3:45:58 AM

Hi Martians,

I thought this might be of interest:

I am happy to announce “The Banjo:  African Roots, American Braches”, an afternoon discussion/demonstration with Daniel Laemouahuma Jatta and me (Chuck Levy), Sunday, July 17th, 2 PM, in the Arts-in-Medicine Suite,

Ground Floor, Shands Cancer Hospital, 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida (free parking in the visitors’ lot).

Daniel will recall his remarkable journey and current thoughts regarding his exploration of the African banjo ancestors.  Daniel was born in Mandinary, The Gambia to a Jola family.  He was exposed to the akonting, a three stringed instrument, from an early age, as his father was an accomplished player.  After high school, Daniel travelled to the US where he was introduced to the banjo, and noted the many structural similarities between the banjo and the akonting.  This began a personal and scholarly journey to discover and document the akonting family of instruments, and to share his knowledge with the outside world. 

Although he initially met resistance, his work is now widely recognized as groundbreaking, leading to a renewed interest and understanding of the African origins of this most American instrument.

I will be joining Daniel to connect the akonting to the early American banjo.  Along the way expect to hear some of the music of the Jola Akonting along with minstrel, clawhammer, and other traditional banjo styles.  In addition, we hoped to announce shortly that we will be adding an accomplished bluegrass banjoist to our afternoon.

The event is free and open to the public. We will be collecting donations for Daniel for those who wish to contribute.

Please feel free to contact me for further information at levyce@aol.com or 352 375  1004 or 352 672 3025. 

Ps.  See Daniel play at www.youtube.com/banjochuck

2 Comments
	Kate Somerville says: 7/14/2011 3:58:18 AM I have a badly broken arm, into my 4th week. Hoping to play by August. But in meantime, if your pal Daniel passes out worksheets on how to make an Akonting, that would be real nice, for me. :)
	ChuckJo says: 7/14/2011 4:51:13 AM Hi Kate, Sooo sorry to hear about your broken arm!!! What happened? Daniel is not much of a builder. Email me seperately if you want me to direct you to some people who can build.
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