Minstrel banjoist needed for recording - New York

[Rick Benjamin]

Hello Friends:

I'm looking for a minstrel style banjoist to record a short 1879 piece for the Recorded Anthology of American Music on June 1 in New York.

This is for the third volume in our series of albums saluting historic African-American composers called "Black Manhattan." Since 2003 we've recorded dozens of pieces from original historic scores using antique instruments. Here are links to the first two volumes: 

https://paragonragtime.com/store/black-manhattan-volume-2/

https://paragonragtime.com/black-manhattan-music-of-the-famous-clef...

These recordings are primarily used for teaching purposes in college and university music departments.

Our short tribute to the pioneering black songwriter James Bland needs an 1870s style banjoist; we're going to record his "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers" with a small minstrel show type band. It's an exciting project - we've got Judith Sherman (many time Grammy winning Producer of the Year - Classical) to produce, and we're recording in the American Academy on June 1.  

I would love to hear from interested New York area players ASAP. Please email or call me at your earliest convenience.  [phone] / email: [e-mail] / www.paragonragtime.com. Many thanks!

Sincerely, Rick Benjamin

curator/musical director.

[Strumelia]

I'd suggest Paul Draper, who is in Albany- a short train ride away... and is an excellent minstrel banjoist who can pick up a tune very quickly (seems to be a short lead time at work here).

Paul is very active on this site- just leave a comment on his page.

[Rick Benjamin]

Thanks - that's very helpful. I will contact Paul. 

Regards, 

RB