The banjo has been shown to be a great significance within African American culture and history. It’s no secret that through time of turmoil, slaves found solace and hope through music. The “banjar” (original Caribbean name), became a favorite instrument for slaves whenever they found themselves away from toiling in plantation fields. The modern day banjo, what we see today, was originated somewhere between 1770-1777, though previous models of it can be traced back to the 17th century. It slowly started to gain popularity and exposure as an instrument all throughout the 1800-1900s.
Banjo Structure
The main parts of a banjo are its “pot” (body), which is made up of a circular wooden rim, a tone ring, and a tensioned head that is similar to a drum head. The neck of the instrument has frets, a fingerboard, and tuning pegs at the top (like a modern day acoustic guitar) which run over a bridge on the body and are attached to a tailpiece at the other end.
Horace Weston
Horace Weston, who was born in 1825 and passed in 1890, was known as one of the finest banjo players of all time. He was born in Derby, Connecticut and died in Manhattan, New York. Weston learned how to play the accordion at age seven, to which he then went on to learn the violoncello, double bass, slide trombone, and guitar.
His career started with Buckley’s Serenaders in 1863, playing banjo for their shows and gigs. The Buckley Serenaders were a family entertainment group that went on tour around Europe as well as the United States. They also ran the Boston Minstrel Hall from June 15th through April 6, 1863. Some songs they performed while Horace was in the picture were; Little Maggie Dale and We’ll Fight for Uncle Abe.
In 1873, he became the first black performer to be featured in Uncle Toms Cabin, gain his own special role. He then performed in a Circus show with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey (Greatest Show On Earth.) Later on in his career, he was closely associated with S.S. Stewart & Co Of Philadelphia, going as far as endorsing his own line of banjos.
He put together several pieces of banjo music; Home Sweet Home, New Schottische, and Old-Time Jig, just to name a few. By the time he died, he became, “the greatest banjoist the world has ever heard.”
