Music recommendations

[Ethan Schwartz]

I'm in the early stages of planning an informal banjo performance for April/May. At a certain point, I realized I was already working mostly on pieces by British composers, so I decided to stick with that theme for the performance (also considering that for American audiences, "British Banjo Music" may generate more initial interest than, well, "American banjo music"). I need maybe two more pieces for the set. They should be musically interesting but not too difficult -- I don't have much time to learn them, and I'm already playing some pretty physically demanding stuff. So far, it's looking like:

2-3 pieces by Morley (NOT looking for more)

1-2 by Grimshaw (NOT looking for more)

1 by Lawes

1 by Oakley

1 by Tilley

1 by Cammeyer (I know, technically not British)

I was considering something by Ellis, but honestly nothing really appeals to me. I should mention that I will have a pianist, but again, increasingly limited practice/rehearsal time is a consideration. If you were in my position, are there any composers (and better yet, specific pieces) you would simply have to have in a program of all-British classic banjo? 

[Jody Stecher]

My favorite Oakley piece (he co-wrote it) is Sweet Jasmine. It's a bit of a project to learn though because it has many parts.

So many good Cammeyer Pieces:  Down Devon Way, Dancers Dream, Yeoman's Call are the first 3 that come to mind. However: he did not compose pieces that are easy to play. There are some multi-fret stretches that are challenging for instance.

[IAN SALTER]

Hi Ethan,

I don't know about having to have it, but maybe look at 'Entr'acte' by Ellis, on pages 74-75 of his 'Advanced School For The Banjo & Zither Banjo'.

[IAN SALTER]

Another tune in a similar vein, is 'Andante In F' on pages 80-81 of the same book. I haven't played either of these on an ordinary banjo, so I don't know how different they would sound to my zither banjo, for which they seem suited.

[Russ Chandler]

A good tune to drop in is Blaze Away which was at least arranged by Grimshaw.

It used to be used as the theme tune to a Saturday morning kids cinema club so folks of a certain age will tend to break out in a big grin and sway along when they hear it.

With my promotors hat on badging your show as "British Banjo Music" is a good idea - anything to stand out. I've sometimes badge my playing as "English ragtime banjo" which of course it technically isn't but the hope is to grab the attention of folks who like that kind of thing in general.

Let us know where and when your gig is!