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Tommy Jarrell

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Tommy Jarrell was an American fiddler, banjo player and singer from the area around Mount Airy in the Appalachians of North Carolina. He was born in 1901 in Surry County and earned his living in road construction. Until his retirement in 1966 he drove a road grader for the state of North Carolina. Even so, he became an influential musician. In 1982 he received the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest American honour for folk and traditional arts. It was the first year that the award was presented.

Music and breakthrough

His style stands out for an expressive use of syncopation and sliding ornaments, and he could sing well while playing. His strong technique and rough tone continue to inspire young lovers of old-time music, especially for the Round Peak style of clawhammer banjo. His albums include Down to the Cider Mill from 1968, Back Home in the Blue Ridge from 1970 and June Apple from 1972. Les Blank made two documentaries about him, Sprout Wings and Fly and My Old Fiddle. He died in 1985. His first fiddle, which he bought for ten dollars, is now in the possession of the Smithsonian. Every year a festival is held in his honour in Mount Airy.

Influence

For the history of popular music Jarrell is important because he was a living link with the music of the Appalachians, which later had an effect on the folk revival and on country and bluegrass. He showed how an old dance music of ordinary people became a source for much later music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Sally Ann and notice the fiddle. Can you hear how Jarrell lets the notes slide and how the bow carries the rhythm?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsAppalachian folk (mountain music)