Event

Bill Evans The Banjo in America

Tracing the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, UC Berkeley-trained ethnomusicologist Bill Evans performs musical examples from the 1700's to the present day on a variety of vintage instruments, ranging from an African ekonting to a mid-19th century minstrel banjo, a modern bluegrass banjo and even an electric banjo. 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 Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio and Bill's own incredible original music, Bill's performances illuminate as well as entertain, exposing audiences to over 250 years of American music.

Bill Evans bio

Bill Evans is an internationally known five-string banjo life force. As a performer, teacher, writer, scholar and composer, he brings a deep knowledge, intense virtuosity and contagious passion to all things banjo, with thousands of music fans and students from all over the world in a career that spans over forty years. In the last two years, Bill has performed all across North America, Canada, England, Russia and Germany and has appeared with the San Francisco Symphony and on A Prairie Home Companion. His book Banjo For Dummies, is one of the world's most widely read book on the instrument. Info at www.billevansbanjo.com and www.youtube.com/BillEvansBanjo.