UPPER LAKE — The Tallman Hotel Concerts with Conversation Series presents special guest Gordy Ohliger, “The Banjo-ologist,” a musical historian, 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 14 at 9550 Main St. in Upper Lake.
Using the actual vintage instruments of the era, Ohliger performs 1800s minstrel and ragtime, 1920s hot jazz, jump swing, rural roots and novelty vaudeville. The performance is held together with a lighthearted narrative of quirky history.
Ohliger performs internationally in museums, concert series and music festivals. Known for his musical prowess, warm delivery, and impeccable research, he is recognized as a gifted musicologist honored with seven grants to perpetuate the endeavor.
Ohliger will make a 90-minute presentation with vintage instruments. The theme this evening will be “Minstrel to Vaudeville; 1835-1935.” There will be excerpts and diversions from Ohliger”s old-time jazzy, quirky-historical performance, which was explored in the nationally broadcast PBS documentary “The Banjo-ologist.”
Instruments used in the show are rare vintage antiques from 1830 to 1933. Comprised of four, five, six to eight-strings, each produces a different sound for the popular music of their era. These are the same instruments used for Ohliger”s presentations in the J. Paul Getty Museum. A four-minute excerpt of the PBS program can be previewed at www.youtube.com. Type in “Banjo-ologist.”
For more information about the performance, visit www.tallmanhotel.com/concerts. For information about Ohliger, visit www.banjoman.info.
