CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS

There are two often ignored facts that the music of Genuine Negro Jig, the Grammy winning recording by the Carolina Chocolate Drops addresses. First, African-Americans had a string band music tradition, and, second, that tradition had roots in the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina. A forerunner of bluegrass and country music, the string band was instrumented by banjo, fiddle in the late 19th century. Guitar, snare drum, jug, kazoo and harmonica, bones, washboard and mandolin were added later. Most African-American bands played the old time music of the region, and the Choc Drops have revitalized many of the foot-stomping songs with a dash of their own modern flair. Additionally they dropped into their recording original compositions and even a cover or two.

The original band met in 2005 at The Black Banjo Gathering in North Carolina. All three were trained in Piedmont banjo and fiddle music by 90-year-old Joe Thompson, believed to be the last living performer from the Piedmont string band era. The group freely interchanges instruments, but a lion’s portion of the vocal work goes to classically trained vocalist Rhiannon Giddens as it is so beautifully demonstrated in here electrifying rendition of Reynadine.

This fourth album for the group was awarded a 2010 Grammy as best traditional folk album and begins with Peace Behind the Bridge, a song written by legendary Piedmont guitarist Etta Baker. Other selections include such traditional gems as Trouble in Your Mind, Snowden’s Jig and Cindy Gal. While honoring tradition, the band does not feel bound to it and handily mixes it with modern musical sensibilities and mountain instrument arrangements, even a version of Blu Cantrells’s Hit ‘em Up Style, an urban classic.

Since its release Justin Robinson has left the group. Banjo player, jug bassist, and Arizona native Dom Flemons remains with Giddens,and New York City musicians, beatboxer Adam Matta and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Hubby Jenkins have joined to now make a quartet. The band believes in pushing into new territory, honoring traitiona but not being bound by it. So, the music evolves from it roots with fresh perspectives, instrumentation and interpretation.

Laura Clavio, Purdue Convocations Assistant Director