Young Banjoists: A Call to Action

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  1. Hey Ron,
    It was great to come across this article! I wanted to let you know that the 4-string banjo seems to be thriving in NYC, as there is a very vibrant, busy traditional jazz scene here at this time, with many talented young in the 20-30-something age groups. Yes, it’s COOL to play early jazz, and also COOL to play the 4-string banjo. It’s nice to be in fashion! (I wrote a song about that on my last album, JOYRIDE) Though there’s certainly ample room for more, just wanted to let you know that there is a good scene here, which of course influences aspiring players. Unfortunately it seems that plectrum banjo in this part of the country is falling off the radar… people seem only familiar with tenor, but then my banjo students help to keep that at least a little more in balance in this area 🙂 (I teach both tenor and plectrum even though I only play plectrum on gigs)

    Btw, I’ve seen some of the youth bands you mentioned — they’re fabulous. Buddy Griffin’s gang knocks me out! It’s beautiful to see how he connects to and inspires those kids! Of course more can always be done… I’ll soon release a traditional jazz/hot jazz educational play-along project, “You’re IN The Band” — a booklet + 2 CDs, initially requested by my banjo students, but it evolved into a project for any instrument interested in playing early jazz. Though I am hoping it will encourage more 4-string jazz banjo….

    Anyway, wishing you the best! I hope we cross paths again in the near future — it’s been a while!
    Warm regards, Cynthia Sayer

    1. Thank you Cynthia; yes it has been a while! New York being the musical center of the universe, I can imagine there’s a good Trad Jazz scene there. I’m kind of in the sticks here is S.E. Arizona, but Bisbee and Tombstone show promise. At any rate, it is great to see the banjo become cool again; I believe we are the verge of a renaissance.
      I think the tenor has always been the big thing on the East Coast, just like plectrum is it on the West. Another thought: Of course when people hear the word “banjo,” they immediately think of Bluegrass; similarly, when Bluegrass players hear the term “four-string,” they immediately think of the tenor. It’s like the tenor IS the four-string, and the plectrum is some odd, red-headed stepchild. I play and teach both also, but my heart belongs to the plectrum; must be because I grew up on the West Coast!
      Anyway, thank you for responding; I’m trying my darndest to get a conversation going before it’s too late.

  2. I’m running a big event tomorrow at City Winery NYC, called my 1st NYC Banjo Bash — it’s for ALL kinds of music associated with the banjo. My featured players are Kristrin Scott Benson of The Grascals (multi-award-winning bluegrasser), Bruce Molsky (celebrated old-time banjoist, fiddler & vocalist) and moi, doing my jazz/swing thing. Also leading some jamming will be Bennett Sullivan, a 5-stringer who has recently done some work with Steve Martin. Yes, jazz, old-time, bluegrass and folk all in the same room for a day! My agenda is for the 4-string to simply be more present in the public’s mind when they think “banjo.” We are psyched and looking forward to a fabulous& fun time. http://www.citywinery.com/newyork/cynthiasayergeneraladmission101115.html

  3. I’m just an old guy that loves banjo music and am glad there are persons in this world promoting the banjo music will never go away as there is so much to enjoy. I’ve been following them around since the seventies but presently my age restricts my movement so I am thankful I have my CD’s to continue the enjoyment of listening.