Blazing Banjo
Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
Official banjoist for the New York Yankees and pianist-vocalist with Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band, Cynthia Sayer has no shortage of good stories to tell, and we get a few today when she joins guest host Chris Bannon for a conversation and performance. Sayer is often considered to be among the top jazz banjo players in the world, performing the early jazz of the 1920s, '30s and '40s. An anomaly of sorts, being a female in a male-dominated profession, she’s sought to bring a new awareness and respect to the banjo.
Also on the program, the organizers of a series of performances called ‘The Republic in Ruins” featuring a group of acclaimed musicians, and speakers brought together to examine the state of civic dialogue in the country. Part of the Imagine Fetsival of Arts, Issues and Ideas, the “Republic in Ruins” takes its inspiration from novelist Gunther Grass, who wrote that “The job of a citizen is to keep your mouth open.” Pianist Vijay Iyer and singer and actress Haleh Abghari will be join Chris Bannon on the program.
Additional Resources:
» Cynthia Sayer’s Web site
» www.mouthswideopen.org
» www.imagine04.org
» www.vijay-iyer.com
Also on the program, the organizers of a series of performances called ‘The Republic in Ruins” featuring a group of acclaimed musicians, and speakers brought together to examine the state of civic dialogue in the country. Part of the Imagine Fetsival of Arts, Issues and Ideas, the “Republic in Ruins” takes its inspiration from novelist Gunther Grass, who wrote that “The job of a citizen is to keep your mouth open.” Pianist Vijay Iyer and singer and actress Haleh Abghari will be join Chris Bannon on the program.
Additional Resources:
» Cynthia Sayer’s Web site
» www.mouthswideopen.org
» www.imagine04.org
» www.vijay-iyer.com
