Played: 277 | Download | Duration: 00:23:47

Rex Schepp recorded in 1924-25 with the Nathaniel Shilkrit Orchestra. He was a plectrum banjoist who played very difficult orchestral arrangements.

Played: 254 | Download | Duration: 00:18:43

You may not have heard of Charlie Rogers but, in his day, he was considered the second best banjoist after Vess Ossman
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Played: 201 | Download | Duration: 00:35:10

Played: 245 | Download | Duration: 00:22:39

Tom Edwards was one of the most accomplished banjoists of his day starting in 1922. Equally at home with plectrum and finger-style banjo, Tom counted his mentors as Joe Morley and Harry Reser.

Played: 192 | Download | Duration: 00:25:24

Both poetry and banjo songs are lyrical genres. So it is not surprising that poems have been written about the banjo itself. From good-time, round-the-fire instrument, to lover, to instrument of war, listen to these poems with a new appreciation for the banjo.

Played: 325 | Download | Duration: 00:19:53

Bessie Campbell was fortunate to travel to England as a young girl, then return to Australia. Along the way, she heard the sound of the banjo many times. Determined to become a banjoist she faced one hurdle after another until she truly was the Queen of the Banjo.

      

Played: 253 | Download | Duration: 00:12:33

Tom Barriball lived to be about 81 years old. During that time, he performed all over the world. He loved playing the banjo and was quite professional at it. Listen to Tom's own biography while songs played by Tom are interspersed.
     

Played: 268 | Download | Duration: 00:14:25

The Bohee Brothers were part of a minstrel troupe. Born in Canada andraised in the US, they performed in many minstrel shows. They also had arepertoire of classic banjo songs they performed during the course oftheir show. Learn more about these talented brothers.

     

Welcome to my Blogcast. This page is primarily set up to listen to podcasts about classic banjo and to open a dialog about classic banjo.  Once a very popular musical style, classic banjo (also known as finger-style or guitar-style) has received little attention from contemporary banjo players and music scholars.

The 5-string classic banjo style evolved in the mid-19th century. By the century's end, the banjo had been adopted by the musical worlds of urban sophisticates and the working class in North America and England.  Composers wrote elaborate pieces as well as lighter music for both professional and amateur banjoists.  The banjo became a popular instrument for musical soirees and parlor performances.  A three-finger picking technique was employed, but unlike the picking styles of bluegrass banjo, the classic banjoist played a gut-strung banjo and did not use fingerpicks.

However, there is a small, but active, group of musicians involved in preserving and playing classic banjo music.  The classic banjo website aims to be a resource for them and an introduction for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the 5-string banjo in England and America.  Here you will find information on various aspects of the music: history, instruments, composers, recordings, performers, bibliography, organizations and publications, and links to related sites. The site is at www.classicbanjo.com.