Ebony Hillbillies © Bill Steber & Pat Casey
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents The Ebony Hillbillies on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Christ Congregation Church. Sometimes called "the last African-American String Band in America," The Ebony Hillbillies are known for their mix of pop, country, bluegrass, folk and jazz. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The band originated when classically trained violinist and vocalist Henrique Prince met banjo, mountain dulcimer, guitar and vocal ace Norris Washington Bennett at an audition for a New York City bluegrass band. With his formal West Coast musical education, Henrique might have become a member of a symphony orchestra. Instead, he fell under the influence of recordings by the popular 1930’s guitar and fiddle group The Mississippi Sheiks, and the Altamont: Recordings of Black Stringband Music.
String band music became a mission for Prince and Bennett. They played on New York street corners and their partnership grew into a full band, as other musicians on vocals, bass and percussion joined.
The concert takes place Friday, September 19, 2025 at Christ Congregation Church (50 Walnut Lane) in Princeton, New Jersey. Tickets online or at the door if not sold-out: $40 ($35 members). Tickets and livestream Access: www.princetonfolk.org. Doors open at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm. Ample free parking.
Henrique likes to introduce The Ebony Hillbillies by saying that it’s a dance band that has “magically put together music that covers centuries, that’s modern and ancient at the same time.” One of the fascinating ironies about String Band music is that while the music is born of deprivation, and disappointment, it’s still leaping with joy even if it’s just as often weeping with melancholy.
African American string bands were an essential part of daily life throughout the 18th and 19th Century. Its practitioners played for pleasure, for church, to relieve the enormous stresses of life on the plantation. And, as any of the thousands of lucky folks who have seen the Ebony Hillbillies in action can tell you, they played for dances.
”If you often take the shuttle from Central Park, you’ve probably stopped to listen to an African-American string band called the Ebony Hillbillies, and wished you didn’t have to go to work!” –The New Yorker
“They get double takes, if not full pauses when they play!” – The Wall Street Journal
The Princeton Folk Music Society has encouraged the growth of folk music in central New Jersey for over 60 years. As they continue to explore new ways of presenting and promoting folk music while ensuring a Covid 19-safe environment for their audiences, their concerts this season will available for viewing by live streaming, as well as on-site in Princeton. They welcome everyone to join them, in person or virtually for their concerts.
