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Popularizer of the Banjo
Old Courthouse Rd,
VA ,
USA
Latitude & Longitude:
37° 22' 57.55278",
-78° 47' 21.803928"
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Virginia State
Historical Marker
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Nearby is buried Joel Walker Sweeney (ca. 1810-1860), the musician who redesigned this African instrument into the modern five-string banjo that is known today. Although slaves apparently added the fifth string to what had been a four-string instrument, Sweeney popularized the new form on the minstrel circuit. He toured with his two brothers, Sam and Dick, in minstrel shows from 1831 until his death in 1860. During the Civil War, Sam Sweeney served as Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's personal banjo picker until Sweeney's death in the winter of 1863-1864.
Last updated: 2/14/2015 15:17:00 |
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See all Virginia African American History locations.
View other Virginia Civil War Historical Markers
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Popularizer of the Banjo Virginia Map
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