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The Jubilee Banjo Band began in 1983 when Houston, Texas banjo
player, Buddy Griffin, advertised to
teach a beginner’s class
in banjo at First Baptist Church. About 15 people showed up and began
learning the fundamentals of America’s only native instrument – the
four-string tenor banjo. Buddy’s vision was to put together a band – a
show band capable of putting on an entertaining variety show on a big
stage – all built around the banjo.
In the beginning, the early players
performed for anyone who would listen – and that was usually a small
number! Other instruments were added to enhance the sound – piano,
drums, guitar, bass, accordion, etc. As the band gained confidence,
learned more music, perfected arrangements, and added variety skits,
songs, etc., the audiences grew.
In 1987, the band took a big leap of
faith and rented the (then) recently renovated 1894 Grand Opera House in
Galveston for a show built around a Vaudeville theme. After all, The
Grand had hosted live vaudevillians during the early 1900’s, so where
better to take a group that could play the jazz and ragtime music that
was popular at the time? Playing at The Grand exposed the band to a much
larger audience. The band returned the following year – and every year
since. The 2005 shows in June will mark the 18th consecutive year the
band has performed at The Grand.
There are now 25 band members –
all volunteers. Adding The All Stars, dancers, vocalists, special
guests, etc, this year’s stage show has about 70 members in the troupe.
It’s this kind of exposure to large audiences that led the Directors to
honor both The Jubilee Banjo Band and Buddy Griffin with an induction
into the Hall of Fame.
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