As a seventh generation mountaineer of the Southern Appalachians, I witness firsthand the loss of traditional craftwork that is synonymous with mountain culture. For this reason I keep the tradition of handcrafted and handmade alive in my work as a fretless banjo maker.

 

Personal research into the aesthetic and tonal qualities of the mountain banjo results in the production of instruments with an earthy, ancient appearance that sounds warm and welcoming. With each made the combination of African, Celtic, and Native American cultures create an heirloom worthy of presentation or performance.

 

Understanding the banjos metamorphosis over the last 500 years, from a village in Western Africa to a mountaintop in the Appalachians, provides the passion of creation through a handcrafted building process. This process manifests in a hybrid medium of the visual and audio arts.

 

Joshua Grant