The search continues for an original banjo made by Jenes Cottrell. Over the years, I’ve documented, photographed, and played several of Cottrell’s banjos. These have all informed my build process, have helped me to learn more about Jenes himself, and afforded me wonderful friendships.
Each year, I set up a booth at the West Virginia State Folk Festival that allows me to both demonstrate banjo building and educated folks about Jenes. Over the years, I’ve been able to borrow severals of Cottrell’s items including unfinished banjo necks, a walking cane, and a chair for the weekend. Also, this past November I gave a presentation on Jenes at the Banjo Builders, Collectors, and Players Gathering. Each year I would like to give more presentations on Jenes at a variety of festivals and events throughout WV and other states. It is my ultimate goal to be fortunate enough to own both a torque converter and pressure cooker banjo made by Jenes Cottrell. They would be not only be instruments to play and pass on thru my family but, more importantly , my goal is to have these instruments for folks to play and ultimately teach the music and history of Jenes Cottrell.
If you know of any of Cottrell’s banjos for sale (at a reasonable and honest rate) please contact me. Also, If you know of any that I could at least document, let me know as well.
Thanks everybody!
-Chris