Banjos and fiddles are common in country and bluegrass music these days, but did you know there is a long tradition of African American string bands? The first episode of Ken Burns' series Country Music: a Film points out the historic influence of African American musicians on the musical form that became known as country music. Then decades of social segregation and segregated music charts occluded that contribution. Young African American artists are now exploring this musical heritage, reclaiming and updating this folk music form. The library has a number of recordings to explore. Try the Carolina Chocolate Drops albums Leaving Eden, or Genuine Negro Jig; then listen to the music of Rhiannon Giddens: There Is No Other ,Leyla McCalla: The Capitalist Blues and the super-group: Songs of Our Native Daughters
