Tony Trischka Has More Than One Banjo on His Knee
Banjo Poetry
Hear 'Double Banjos on the Run,' a poem read by Trischka and Martin with musical background by Bela Fleck
Steve Martin, Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck together with their banjos in NPR's New York Bureau. Ned Wharton, NPR hide caption
Steve Martin, Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck together with their banjos in NPR's New York Bureau.
Ned Wharton, NPRBanjo Performances
Listen to three songs performed live in NPR's New York studio.
Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck & Steve Martin in Studio on Weekend Edition Sunday - 01/21/2007
Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck & Steve Martin in Studio on Weekend Edition Sunday - 01/21/2007
Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck & Steve Martin in Studio on Weekend Edition Sunday - 01/21/2007
From the CD
Farewell Blues
Escher's Waltz
When people think of the banjo, the music that comes to mind is most likely the theme song from Deliverance or The Beverly Hillbillies. But there's more to a banjo than pop culture plucking. Over more than 30 years, Tony Trischka has explored the instrument and its rich history, from African melodies to jazz fusion and classical arrangements.
Trischka's new album, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, is billed as an "acoustic bluegrass homecoming." Each song features a banjo duet. The list of guest musicians includes such banjo biggies as Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Steve Martin (yes, the movie star) and Alison Brown.
Multiple banjo music is unusual, says Trischka: "[Banjos are] loud instruments, tricky to get a cohesive, harmonious sound." Guess that makes him a plucky so-and-so.