MUSIC AND IDENTITY

Tenor banjo with four strings France Made by J.B. Albert 1925-30 Lent by the Musée des musiques populaires de Montluçon

     

The banjo, which often accompanied the accordion, was later replaced by the guitar. It was popularized by black-faced minstrels in the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century and gained some popularity in Europe over the same period. The body of this instrument is made of beech plywood covered with mother-of-toilet-seat and has inlaid purfling. The neck is maple and the finger board ebony. A brand on the heel of the neck indicates "JBAlbert".