Updating this post a bit, for 2023. I’m looking to buy, or trade for, a banjo made by Jenes Cottrell. Also open to building you a banjo as a trade. I’m looking for one of Jenes Cottrell’s Buick torque converter banjos. I’d also be looking for one of his pressure cooker banjos. These have all informed my build process, have helped me to learn more about Jenes himself, and afforded me wonderful friendships.
Additionally, if you have one of Jenes Cottrell’s banjos, even if not for sale, I’d love some pictures of them. I’m trying to document as many banjo, built by Jenes, as possible. Each banjo he made is slightly different from the others. It’s those variations I’m wanting to document.
In addition to banjos, Jenes made furniture, cabinets, folk art items (during the revival) baseball bats, whistles, rolling pins, and wooden farm equipment repair items.
For several years, , 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. In the coming years, I hope to be able to do this again. I’ve also given presentations on Jenes for the Banjo Gathering and the Augusta Heritage Center.
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.
I would like to give more presentations on Jenes at a variety of festivals and events throughout WV and other states. It is my hope 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. You can reach me quickest by email at cwdeanbanjos@gmail.com
Thanks y’all!
-Chris