Masters of the Banjo

Recorded in 1993 during a national tour, this collection features seven masters of the banjo. Although the banjo is thought to have evolved from the African banza, the banjo has developed into a uniquely American musical instrument. On this recording the players range from Ethiopian Seleshe Damessae playing a six-string krar to the legendary Appalachian banjo player and singer Ralph Stanley. Using a variety of traditional playing methods—clawhammer, and the two- and three-finger picking style—each player performs several selections.