Banjo virtuoso and recording artist Mary Z. Cox was the special guest presenter at the March 18 meeting of Junior Appalachian Musicians at Blue Ridge School. Cox provided an instrument demonstration and concert, accompanied by Cashiers musician John Warren.
Cox has recorded 11 albums, performs frequently, gives workshops and authors banjo books. Her music has been heard on NPR’s “Thistle & Shamrock” and “All Songs Considered” as well as Pandora World Music Genome and the BBC. She has taught clawhammer banjo for over a decade at the John C. Campbell Folk School and at camps and festivals nationwide. Performance updates and more can be found HERE.
JAM-Blue Ridge is in its third year of providing traditional music instruction and regional education to students in grades 3 through 12. They meet Monday afternoons with students from Blue Ridge School, Summit Charter School and homeschools. They are sponsored locally by Mountain Youth Charities, Inc. For more information, contact Program Director Sarah Hall, shall@jcpsmail.org.
Pictured at the top of the article are from left John Warren and Mary Z. Cox performing for JAM-Blue Ridge students. Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge School.