Darkies Dream

[Steve Harrison]

Here's an arrangement by Ezra Read, I'll get Ian to put it in the library later...Steve.

[Paul Draper]

Thanks Steve!

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Paul, you're very welcome, there's a bit of a story behind this music and my involvement with classic banjo. Way back in the early 1980s I taught melodic banjo. A lady called Denise Woodward, 86 years old, who lived next door to one of my pupils, used to teach banjo as did her mother who had the wonderful stage name of Ida Naruda. She gave me her collection of original banjo scores that had been collected by her mother and herself, much of it dating back to the turn of the least century. This was my first introduction to classic banjo, I worked my way through the scores, and the rest as they say, is history. I've scanned all of the music as some of the scores are now very fragile so I'll have a look through them and see if I can find some of the lesser known tunes that may be of interest.....Steve

 Thanks Steve!

[Paul Draper]

You are a great resource, Steve. Thank you again for sharing your collection!

[Paul Draper]

...and your arrangements!

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Paul, I seem to spend more time arranging these days than I do playing, my favourite tune is always the last one I've completed. At last count, I have 437 arrangements in the bank, most of which are in the library on CBning. I'm always open to suggestions for any future tunes to arrange......Steve.

Paul Draper said:

...and your arrangements!

[Richard William Ineson]

Madame Neruda was a famous violinist I wonder if it's the same person?
Steve Harrison said:

Hi Paul, you're very welcome, there's a bit of a story behind this music and my involvement with classic banjo. Way back in the early 1980s I taught melodic banjo. A lady called Denise Woodward, 86 years old, who lived next door to one of my pupils, used to teach banjo as did her mother who had the wonderful stage name of Ida Naruda. She gave me her collection of original banjo scores that had been collected by her mother and herself, much of it dating back to the turn of the least century. This was my first introduction to classic banjo, I worked my way through the scores, and the rest as they say, is history. I've scanned all of the music as some of the scores are now very fragile so I'll have a look through them and see if I can find some of the lesser known tunes that may be of interest.....Steve

 Thanks Steve!

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Richard, According to Denise, her mother was a well known violinist who played the halls and concerts in the Midlands so it looks as though your assumption may be correct. She also taught violin in Birmingham in the 1950s and she taught the late Dave Swarbick (Swarb), the popular folk musician who played along side Martin Carthy and with bands such as Fairport Convention....Steve.

hard William Ineson said:

Madame Neruda was a famous violinist I wonder if it's the same person?
Steve Harrison said:

Hi Paul, you're very welcome, there's a bit of a story behind this music and my involvement with classic banjo. Way back in the early 1980s I taught melodic banjo. A lady called Denise Woodward, 86 years old, who lived next door to one of my pupils, used to teach banjo as did her mother who had the wonderful stage name of Ida Naruda. She gave me her collection of original banjo scores that had been collected by her mother and herself, much of it dating back to the turn of the least century. This was my first introduction to classic banjo, I worked my way through the scores, and the rest as they say, is history. I've scanned all of the music as some of the scores are now very fragile so I'll have a look through them and see if I can find some of the lesser known tunes that may be of interest.....Steve

 Thanks Steve!