Jayme Stone

About this user

A Polyrhythmic Journey to Mali and a Tiny Symphony Inside a Light Bulb:
Jayme Stone's Global Banjo Adventures

Jayme Stone keeps an ear to the ground. His curiosity and unlikely set of reference points started early with the quirky physics of the banjo, led to a mysterious librarian who stocked his local public library with a vast trove of banjo recordings, and landed him long-lasting lessons with a series of maestros, from Tony Trischka to Bill Frisell. Influenced by Japanese poetry and Brazilian literature and featuring what he calls a "tiny symphony that takes place inside an imaginary light bulb", Stone's album, The Utmost, won the 2008 Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.

The most recent chapter in Stone's musical travelogue takes place in Africa. He went knowing what's still news to most: that the hide-covered instrument with an "extra" drone string we call the banjo actually comes from West Africa. He became particularly curious about the music that may not have made it across the ocean on slave ships headed west from Senegal and Mali in the 1700-1800's. An eight-week trip to Mali was supported by a prestigious Chalmers Arts Fellowship and found Stone sitting in with Toumani Diabate and the Symmetric Orchestra in downtown Bamako, lost in circles of Wassoulou polyrhythms and in a rural Dogon village with no electricity where he inadvertently discovered a banjo predecessor unheard of in the West. The resulting album, Africa to Appalachia, is a boundary-crossing musical collaboration with singer and kora maestro Mansa Sissoko. Produced by David Travers-Smith and featuring celebrated ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate, the recording won the 2009 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year.

Inspired by folk dances from around the world, Stone's brand new album, Room of Wonders, includes music from Norway, Sweden, Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy and North America. His third solo recording, following the international breakout success of Africa to Appalachia, features fiddle pioneer Casey Driessen, gravity-defying guitarist Grant Gordy, former Punch Brother Greg Garrison and special guests Olov Johansson (nyckelharpa), Nick Fraser (drums), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), William Carn (trombone) and more.

"Stone combines a jazz musician's sense of timing and sureness of touch with a pop musician's brevity and directness."
THE GUARDIAN

"That rare example of a musical exploration going perfectly, a cultural summit that sounds vibrant and seamless for all the right reasons."
EXCLAIM!

"Juno-winning banjoist Jayme Stone is back with Africa To Appalachia, a West African-inspired mix of original and traditional gems that highlights his ear for winning melodies and curiosity about under-studied sounds."
NOW MAGAZINE

"Theres something utterly enchanting about this collaboration. The whole thing just seems completely at ease with itself; a real joy to listen to."
SONGLINES

"Entrancing and educational, a polyrhythmic tale of two continents."
MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE

"Stone is the consummate team player... always right in the middle with his polished, inventive banjo playing."
DOWNBEAT

"Bridging jazz, bluegrass and everything in between with smart compositions, playful jams, and a great sense of purpose. It's music that's difficult to describe, but easy to love."
CBC RADIO

"What roots/jazz banjo virtuoso Jayme Stone doesn't know about his instrument probably isn't worth knowing."
TORONTO STAR

"An intent focus on all aspects of music one of the most open-minded banjoists around."
BANJO NEWS

Jayme "has jam band fans doing cartwheels in the street and hardcore jazz fans re-examining their priorities."
NOW MAGAZINE

"Imagine a more chilled out Béla Fleck and the Americana side of Bill Frisell and youre on track."
FRETS MAGAZINE

"Jazz with the verve of a happy pop tune."
ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"A banjo big-wig."
BOULDER DIRT