Early American Banjo Enthusiasts in California

[Nicholas A Bechtel]

Putting a call out to anyone out here in Southern California that is particularly into this style of Banjo Playing.

I live in Santa Barbara, and have not seen anyone so far on the website that is out here. I read on with envy at all of you that get to get to get together. A lot of cool stuff going on out there.

standing by...

[razyn]

We're visiting our son, went by his office yesterday and I snapped closeup shots of these figures.  Today when I loaded them into my iPhoto program and zoomed on the flute players, I could read the artist's name underneath:  Jacques Schnier (1898-1988).  Born in Romania, but came to SF with his parents when he was two, so he was California raised and (well) educated.  One may Google him and learn a lot.  His sculptures were being compared with Diego Rivera's paintings early in his career -- in 1929, in an LA Times review of one of his earliest shows (at the Braxton Galleries in Hollywood).

[razyn]