Yay Banjos BOO Snow!

Wow. Banjos are really cool...

Well today had three pretty informative presentations.

First Kat delved into America's musical history by tracing back to Irish roots...- very cool!
I'm a huge fan of Irish folk music. Ya'll should try to find Johnny Jump Up on Pandora... I love that song.

Anyhoot, Kat also illustrated how one popular song (that I'm sure we all remember from every middle school dance) "Cotton-Eyed Joe" has both Irish roots and alot of American influence. Also a good example of musical irony- such a cheerful song about such a grisly subject.

It's interesting to note how music evolves when limits are put on it and new elements are introduced, between Irish music, black slave songs, and their eventual meshing in American folk music- it's really amazing to see how innovative people can become under adversity.

Also, she happens to be a great baker...;)

Then Dan stepped up to the challenge and gave us a pretty nice presentation on Duke Ellington.
(Don't worry, dude, I was totally impressed by your power-point presentation). And kudos for the trumpet playing- well done.

Anyway, Dan also discussed the Cotton Club, which it seems was pretty influential in the world of early jazz... lots of famous people got their start there, that was really interesting. I don't think I've heard of the Cotton Club before... guess I'm just not hip to the beat. Thanks!

Then the amazing Egan (is that how his name is spelled?) was kind enough to drop by our class and do some demonstrating on his banjo. That was amazing. I love how those things sound. They just make you want to get up and dance.

I hope Kat picks up some fiddle playing... it may not be as 'dignified' as classical, but it's still really neat. (Kat you should also check out jazz fiddle... there's some pretty cool things you can do with that surprisingly versatile instrument.)

Ashley told me that she almost got banjo lessons in high school but that her friends talked her out of it... but she might go pick up some lessons now... I hope you go for it! Seriously, there are four instruments that if any of you play one of them, you are totally my hero- 1. Banjo 2. Euphonium/Tuba 3. Hurdy-Gurdy 4. Didgeridoo.

Well, this was not the best of my blogs... but there you go (guess I'm just itchy for Fall Break...)