Musician Rhiannon Giddens shares her deep connection with her heritage through music, especially when playing the banjo. ‘There’s times I’m playing the banjo and I just feel the ancestors,’ she states, emphasizing the spiritual experience she often encounters. This bond is significant in her journey, helping her navigate the music industry.
Giddens is deeply rooted in the Black string band tradition, a style that dates back to slave times. She has collaborated with famous artists, such as playing the banjo on Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’ Additionally, Giddens serves as the artistic director of the Silk Road Ensemble, established by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This group aims to blend global musical traditions by collaborating with musicians worldwide.
Her album, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers, derives its title from an Emily Dickinson poem. For Giddens, the concept of hope links back to her ancestors, who faced extreme poverty in the American South. She reflects on her life, questioning the right to lose hope when compared to her ancestors’ struggles. Giddens expresses a nuanced faith, stating, ‘I’m not saying I’m a Pollyanna, because I don’t have a lot of faith in humanity, but I have a faith in humans.’
This interview was produced and edited by Therese Madden and Nico Gonzalez Wisler for broadcast. Bridget Bentz and Molly Seavy-Nesper adapted it for the web.