The Carolina Chocolate Drops, a young African-American group specializing in traditional string band music, will perform Jan. 9 in York, S.C.
Their music has been described as country, folk and old-time, but would probably be best defined as traditional Piedmont string band music. Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons and Justin Robinson take turns on fiddle, banjo, vocals, guitar, drums, even kazoo and jug as they perform this nearly-forgotten music of the early twentieth century Carolina Piedmont.
North Carolina fiddler Joe Thompson, now in his 90s, has helped mentor the group. Thompson has been called a living legend for his fiddling and preserving this musical tradition.
The Chocolate Drops released CDs in 2006 and 2008. The band has been hailed by the acclaimed performer Taj Mahal), a Grammy Award-winner for whom the Chocolate Drops opened in 2008.
Learn more at www.carolinachocolatedrops.com.
IF YOU WANT TO GO:
Date: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2009
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: McCelvey Center (212 E. Jefferson St., York, S.C.
Cost: $8 for Culture & Heritage Museums members; $10 non-members.
Tickets are available by calling the box office, 803.684.3948.
