Banjo Hangout Top 100 Jazz Songs

From 1941 Benny Goodman Sextet w/Charlie Christian

The Errol Garner version, more or less.

The Fern Dale Memorial Banjo Band -- on this occasion, eight plectrums and a tenor, plus trombone, bass, drums and two washboards -- at the Mouldy Figs' 30th anniversary bash in suburban Minneapolis, Minn., on Feb. 9, 2003. I arranged it, so to speak, and lead off with a bit of "Rhapsody in Blue" on my 1926 B&D Silver Bell #1 plectrum, then we carve up "Bye Bye Blues," "Alabama Jubilee,""Down Yonder" and "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee." There's a picture of the band in my album here.

This was a kinda sleepy big band tune until Charlie Parker got hold of it.

© Laurence Diehl 2009<br> I have always wanted to play this Django-influenced style of music. Never thought I might be playing it on the banjo...

tenor banjo solo

© Laurence Diehl 2009<br>Woody Woodpecker-ish

An old plectrum classic

Steve Caddick is playing this tune. This was recorded at the Early Spring Banjo Fling in 2003 in Mansfield, MA where I was the Headliner. This is my solo tenor banjo rendition of this old tune. It includes the verse which is seldom heard. A bit of trivia for you Boomers, this song was written by June Lockhart's father, Eugene, she played the mom on the 1950's TV show Lassie. In looking at the song style choices, there needs to be one for 4-string banjos!

Plectrum style on my open back Vega Longneck w/skin head!

© Laurence Diehl 2007<br>Since there is no category for Eastern European voodoo music I am calling it "Gypsy banjo" or maybe "Jazz"

Another Joel Klingler song. A sweet jazzy fourties song. One of my favorites, although the banjo is pretty simple on this one.

My interpretation of this jazz standard. I had to pick up the tempo a bit to make it work 'cos my horn has 5 strings!