Cynthia Sayer

Once the favorite of traditional New Orleans Jazz, players of ragtime, minstrel shows, and music halls, the banjo's popularity had receded, at least as a jazz instrument. In recent years, while not coming all the way back, it has gotten a significant push by the likes of Bela Fleck, along with Cynthia Sayer who has successfully combined her plucking with her singing. While Sayer is adept with both the tenor guitar and piano, she focuses her attention on the banjo as well as her vocalizing. Sayer began playing professionally when she was 17 when she played in an all-female jaz...