The Carolina Chocolate Drops is an American Folk band founded in Bonne, North Carolina, in 2005. This African American folk band included three-members: Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson, then Hubby Jenkins and Leyla McCalla. The all-black band focused on bluegrass, country, and blues. These genres were originated from black folks during the 19th century. The band played instruments rooted in Africa, such as banjos, fiddles, bones, and kazoo. The trio met at a Black Banjo Gathering in Bonne, N.C in 2005, after they met Joe Thompson, who was a Carolina black fiddle player. He became a mentor to the group and allowed them to played music at his home. Joe influenced the group to create a string-band named The Carolina Chocolate Drops.