Bill Evans goes track by track through The Banjo in America, July 15
Bill Evans, a former deejay at WTJU, will stop by Sunset Road this Friday afternoon, July 15, to go track by track through his new CD/DVD, The Banjo in America. Sunset Road airs Friday afternoon from 4-6 (eastern) at 91.1 FM, and streaming at wtju.net.
Bill Evans first came to prominence with Charlottesville based nationally touring progressive bluegrass band Cloud Valley. Bill has been involved with bluegrass music and the banjo for over forty-five years as a player, teacher, composer, writer and historian. He occupies a unique niche in the banjo world: celebrated worldwide for his traditional as well as progressive bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions, he also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding instructor as well as being an expert player of 19th century minstrel and classic banjo styles. One of his latest accomplishments is writing Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies.
In The Banjo in America, Bill takes the listener on a musical adventure, following the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, performing musical examples from the 1700’s to the present day on vintage instruments. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to folk and bluegrass banjo styles to Bill’s own incredible original music, The Banjo in America illuminates as well as entertains, exposing listeners and viewers to over 250 years of American music.
Bill will be visiting Charlottesville on September 28th with the California Bluegrass Reunion for a concert presented by WTJU at The Southern Cafe and Music Hall also featuring Darol Anger, John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, Jim Nunally and Chad Manning.
