by William Sidney Mount  1830              by William Sidney Mount  1847

Above are two very powerful paintings by William Sidney Mount. "The Banjo Player" shows a minstrel banjoist playing an early Boucher Banjo which in its day was top of the line. Certainly one could presume this player was very good and well respected to be afforded the banjo and clothes.  Thomas Jefferson wrote of the banjo on his plantation and recorded one of the early written accounts of it.  

"The Power Of Music" demonstrates the understanding and cultural bridges made during the musical stew brewed by mixing African music and rhythms with seafaring chantyman and the Celtic music brought to the South from Ireland, Scotland and England. No question this spawned in approximate order Minstrelsy, Blues, Ragtime, Hillbilly, Swing, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country Western, Rock-a-Billy, Rock and Roll, etc, and the many fragments we listen to today contemporaneously.

Amazing it all started with the banjo, the creation of America, and the "melting pot" of our great country.   Probably one of the most interesting things a person interested in music can do is explore the roots of contemporary music back to 1600's.    While America was being built the roots of our music were growing too!   Music is a great gift.   Enjoy your journey with us.   

Thanks for stopping by our site,  Sawdust Symphony