Tuesday, July 26, at 7:00pm

As one of the last black string bands in the U.S., and the only one currently based in NYC-the Hillbillies keep an important legacy alive with a rootsy, homegrown style that was a key element in the genesis of All American Music-Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll and Country. The band, led by Henrique Prince {violin, vocals} and Norris Bennett { banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, guitar, vocals} and including William “Salty Bill” Salter {acoustic bass and vocals},  Newman Taylor Baker {washboard, percussion and vocals} and Gloria Thomas Gassaway {bones and vocals} – creates an untamed and joyful vibe. Whether they play for thousands of people at Carnegie Hall or a crowd at Grand Central station, The Ebony Hillbillies bring history alive with the still vibrant sound of Americana, that echoes across generations and transcends all racial and cultural boundaries.

They’ve maintained their grassroots credibility while inspiring heartstrings tugs and toe-taps in fans of all types of music- Pop, Country, Bluegrass, Folk, rock, Jazz and beyond. With a musical repertoire that pays homage to the traditional and still looks towards the future. The Ebony Hillbillies play a mix of tasty originals as well as unique renditions of classics we all love {“Cotton Eyed Joe.” “Shenandoah”,} and wonderfully unexpected contemporary songs like {Marvin Gaye’s “ Sexual Healing.”} They’ve already sold thousands of copies of their two CDs “Sabrina’s holiday” and “ I Thought You Knew” and have participated in many festivals throughout the US and Canada including most recently, The High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival in West Cliff Colorado, The Spoleto Festival in Charleston South Carolina, The Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival in Tacoma WA., and The Port Townsend Blues Festival, in Port Townsend, WA.

http://ebonyhillbillies.com/index.html

The Ebony Hillbillies at Live at the Gantries from Live at the Gantries on Vimeo.

Photos by: Arianys Wilson
Video by: Zoe Miller