One librarian spent 25 years proving the banjo's hidden history—and changed music forever.
The inspiring true story of music librarian Dena Epstein who labored 25 years to document the musical contributions of African slaves to the New World. Her work, now considered classic, shattered legends and myths, proved that the banjo was a slave instrument, and sparked a remarkable revival of black string band music. Directed and produced by Jim Carrier. Starring Dena Epstein, Bela Fleck, Eric Weissberg, Tony Trischka & the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Writing
Epstein's meticulous research reads like a thriller.
Score
Carolina Chocolate Drops bring the archives alive.
Director
Jim Carrier
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Before Epstein, the banjo was marketed as a white Appalachian instrument; her research helped spark the black string band revival led by the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Epstein wasn't a professional historian—she was a music librarian at the University of Chicago who pursued this in her spare time, facing decades of academic gatekeeping.
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