Randy is a fifth generation eastern Kentuckian who served as folk arts director for 25 years at the Hindman Settlement School, an institution that has served mountain youth since 1902 (attended by some of Jean Ritchie’s siblings). He plays several different stringed instruments, but he specializes in banjo and banjo history, playing several different banjos from Africa to Appalachia, particularly banjo styles and tunes from Knott County, KY. Banjo pickers, both men and women, from this region used a variety of techniques and tuning on the banjo.
Randy serves the region in several different capacities. He calls dances, plays at the nursing home, advocates for miners, and searches for economic opportunities in a just transition from coal to more sustainable future. He has represented the region at the Smithsonian Festival on the national mall.
Randy will be joined by his son, Gabriel Dansereau, fiddler and jazz guitar player, just graduating from the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Jazz. Join us for stories and songs from the mountains.
http://www.rwilsonbanjo.com
At Lakewood UCC:
3/22: Randy Wilson & Gabriel Dansereau, Friday night, 7PM
3/23 Saturday Afternoon Square Dance with Jenny & the Stray Dogs and Randy Wilson calling. 1-4PM
2601 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Contact: Yoko Nogami
