By Meghan Dudle

This event is an important one, marking a slow but steady revival of black banjo and fiddle players and interest in the African- American roots of old time music and, consequently, bluegrass music. Why should you go? First off, there exists only a sparse handful of working African American old time country groups in America. Most twentieth and twenty-first century Americans do not know the African roots of the banjo and also have little awareness of an African-American banjo heritage. The heritage itself has nearly disappeared among African-Americans, due in large part to the disappearance of the social black rural dances, or frolics. In addition, many blacks after reconstruction sought to avoid the banjo and the often degrading minstrel stereotypes and images that were connected with the banjo. Other factors that contribute to the dimming of this heritage is the 1920’s recording industry’s preference for the burgeoning and modern blues guitar music of rural musicians rather than existing African-American string band musicians.

Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson, and Dom Flemons have the energy, talent, humor and modesty to bring this often ignored, misunderstood, and complex heritage to the public. Having spent time with the Drops in North Carolina this past spring, I can personally attest to their dedication and investment in not letting this heritage fade out completely. During their stay here in the Twin Cities, they will also be visiting schools to give students a glimpse of this faded tradition. Part of their mission as a band is to educate young people in this tradition and to repatriate the banjo and fiddle back to African American communities, where it once thrived.

All three of the Drops are multi-instrumentalists, bringing different clawhammer and old time banjo picking techniques to the table, not to mention the impeccable jug playing, comb playing, vocals, fiddle playing, guitar playing, and flat-footing. To their credit, they also continue to learn straight from the remaining heart and soul of this tradition-Joe Thompson. Every Thursday evening, the Drops go and visit Joe, the 87 year old African-American fiddler, in his Mebane home to share stories and jam. In Joe’s words, they come over and “put the dog down,” and I’m sure this wonderful relationship will be shared with the Cedar audience the night of the 12th.

It will be a memorable night of lively old time singing and music and a chance to rejoice in the fact that this music was created by different cultures, struggles, and extraordinary connections. Locally acclaimed documentary filmmaker and musician John Whitehead will be filming The Carolina Chocolate Drops at this benefit concert. It is simply not to be missed!

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