Listening to them again, Brown found himself swept away by their brilliance. And he decided, at long last, to find Charles Faurot, and hear the story of the making of Clawhammer Banjo, Vols. 1-3.

Clawhammer banjo originated in Africa and was made popular in Virginia by black players in the 18th century. These days, comedian Steve Martin—yes, that wild and crazy guy! —is amongst its best-known ...

Bluegrass and folk music are staples here in southwest Virginia, and the 89th annual Old Fiddlers Convention proves it. It’s ...

Nathan Bowles ' clawhammer banjo music has always lived in three planes of existence: Rooted in the past, with a foothold in the present and an eye on the future. But as much as we think about ...

The stereotypical image of clawhammer banjo music as something played in a relaxed, informal manner was shattered by Stanley’s intense strumming on “Shout Little Lulie,” with the rhythms ...

Banjo player Michael J. Miles’ one-man show, “The Magic Banjo,” features tunes by Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and a host of other American folk figures. It also showcases music by … ...

Johnson has recorded four CDs, two of them with Lester. He plays the clawhammer banjo, which is a distinct thumb-and-strum style. His first CD was "Clawgrass," and the term has stuck with him.

His clawhammer style was influenced by many styles including Dixieland Jazz, Celtic and English folk music and boogie-woogie along with bluegrass and Appalachian music, according to the American ...

As Flemons became swept away by the instrument’s natural syncopation and versatility, his understanding of its history broadened when he picked up Pete Seeger’s How to Play the Five-String Banjo.

Washington is closely associated with bluegrass and “old-time” music, as veteran listeners to WAMU or patrons of the Birchmere will tell you. But the city’s latest banjo export isn’t a reissue of, say ...

This antique aesthetic translates to their music: Paxton is an accomplished banjo, guitar and stride piano player, studying jazz at the New School in New York, where he complains they constantly ...