Featured Banjos

BANJOS (left to right)

Banjos came to America on slave ships, imported in the shackled hands of its players.  This is how the American story of the banjo begins  followed by minstrel shows, war songs, barndances, protest music, New Orleans, bluegrass and innumerable twists and turns that eventually propel the banjo into the 21st century.

In “The Magic Banjo,” Miles shares some of that story, and plays these very instruments. 

1. HAJUJ built by Zine El Abidine

One of the grand elders of the American banjo, this instrument, was built for Miles by master player Zine El Abidine.   Miles met Zine, and played with him, on a tour through Morocco. 

2. STELLING WHITE DOVE built by Geoff Stelling

The White Dove is a modern banjo, built by one of America’s premier artisans in banjo design and construction.  This features an open back and just 17 frets.  Listen to American Bach.

3. OCTAGON BANJO built by Marianna Miles

This instrument with its wooden face has the sweetest sound of all the instruments in the show, built by Miles’ amazing wife, Marianna.  Listen to Cripple Creek variations, track 8.

4. SENEGALESE HALAM, built in Senegal, builder unknown

The halam is a three string predecessor of the banjo constructed of a hollowed out log, a broomstick neck, three strings of fishing line, and a sheepskin head. Listen to “Yaya,” track 1.

5. GOURD BANJO built by Pete Ross

This is a replica of a 19th century banjo. The sound chamber is a gourd, about the size of a medium pumpkin.  The neck is bubinga wood, of rose color, imported from West Africa. There are five strings.

6. FAIRBANKS WHITE DOVE

Originally built in 1911 as a four string banjo, this instrument was customized with a 5-string neck by Bart Reiter.  Listen to New Century Suite, track 1. 

7. WONDER MINSTREL BANJO built by George Wunderlich

The wood used to build this instrument came from trees growing in the fields of the Battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg, Maryland.  It is a replica of Joel Sweeney’s Tackhead banjo from the mid 1800’s..    Listen to “Aviator,” track 5.