BENEFIT PERFORMANCE BY

TONY TRISCHKA

for

THE BANJO PROJECT:  THE STORY OF AMERICA’S INSTRUMENT

TICKETS -- $25

WITH SCENES & PERFORMANCES FROM THE UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY PRESENTED BY THE FILMMAKER MARC FIELDS

NOW IN POST-PRODUCTION: A major new television documentary about the history of America’s quintessential musical instrument  from its African roots to the present.  Narrated by STEVE MARTIN, The Banjo Project features interviews and performances with  EARL SCRUGGS… PETE SEEGER… RALPH STANLEY… BELA FLECK… TAJ MAHAL… ALISON BROWN… MIKE SEEGER… CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS… BILL KEITH... CYNTHIA SAYER… BOB CARLIN… JOHN MCEUEN… BUDDY WACHTER… ABBY WASHBURN… CHEICK HAMALA DIABATE… SONNY OSBORNE… DON VAPPIE… PETE WERNICK… RILEY BAUGUS… EDDY DAVIS… ERIC WEISSBERG…  BRUCE MOLSKY… TONY TRISCHKA...  and many others.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Brought to the New World in the memories and traditions of enslaved Africans, repeatedly re-invented by African- and European-Americans, the banjo has shaped most American musical forms: the minstrel show, ragtime and early jazz, old-time folk and the folk revival, as well as blues, bluegrass, country and new hybrids yet to be labeled. Using the banjo’s diverse musical styles, contested social history and colorful players as our narrative “thread,” we explore in a new light many of the issues at the heart of American culture today, including lingering stereotypes of race, class, regionalism and gender.  In its long history, the banjo has symbolized patriotism and protest, pain and joy, low entertainment and sophisticated leisure. It's been a black instrument, a white instrument, a laborer's pastime and a socialite's diversion, a young person's fad and an old-timer's friend. 

The Banjo Project is panoramic history -- with lots of great music.

VISIT www.thebanjoproject.org