minstrel

However, the banjo's creation eventually became a blending between West African and European traditions mostly due to minstrel shows in the 1800s.

It’s deeply satisfying to him to be part of “the storytelling club of minstrels.”

Blackface performances date back to minstrel shows of the 1800s, in which performers darkened their faces to create bigoted caricatures of Black people.

“If you merry minstrels want to knock off, you can,” says Mr. Van Deusen.

Redd’s father took him to see traveling minstrel shows when he was a boy, and he was particularly struck by the one-legged tap dancer Peg Leg Bates moving to the rhythm of a trap drummer.