Rhiannon Giddens tells the reveletory story of the banjo in America | Ireland's Edge

Once referred to as a ‘performing historian’ Rhiannon Giddens is a musician from Greensboro, North Carolina whose career has ranged from folk to country, blues to gospel, opera to R&B. Her old-time string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have received 6 Grammy nominations, winning in 2010 for their album Genuine Negro Jig.

In 2017 Rhiannon received a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant for ‘reclaiming African American contributions to folk and country music and bringing to light new connections between music from the past and the present’.

At Ireland’s Edge, she speaks to music journalist Jim Carroll about race, the influence and appropriation of African-American music, and cross-cultural collaboration, all through the story of the banjo in the United States.

Ireland's Edge Available Light/Solas was possible thanks to the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Kerry County Council, Intel Ireland, IMRO, Jones Engineering Group and the Skelling Hotel, Dingle.

[mjw]

Beautiful lady, great artist, trail blazer - several world class streaming performances during the pandemic. Thank you.

[Mbikerkonb]

Very informative and I see my roots and family from rural North Carolina in her conversation about how music ties us all together

[rickbartley]

An excellent interview, and gifted artist.

[HomeAtLast]

Thank God, finally a sane person who understands that all elements of culture --- including music --- advance through cross-cultural collaboration, and who therefore would not attack Elvis for "cultural appropriation" for his phenomenal contribution to that very collaboration!

[philliphernandez]

My mom was from kirkland GA Francis Cleo Giddens Hernandez

[tonyclark]

holy crap give that man some decaf!! if he would slow down about a 1/3rd he would be easier to listen to.

[revolutionunderground]

I'm here for the Irish pronunciation of her first name, lol

[goodear]

She often tries to make the banjo about race 😐