Kaia Kater – clawhammer banjoist-singer

from http://nodepression.com/video/ear-ground-kaia-kater

 

Kaia Kater is lauded for being one of the youngest performers in the roots scene at 22 years old. But what’s special is that she’s blowing up the roots music scene in spite of her age, not because of it. Her old-time banjo-picking skills, deft arrangements, and songwriting abilities have landed her in the national spotlight on both Canadian and American soil. Born in Quebec of mixed Afro-Caribbean ancestry, she now resides in Toronto and spends extensive time in West Virginia, where she ardently studies balladry and traditional dance. As an original songwriter, she works to incorporate her perspective as one of the few people of color in roots music into the complex racial history of the traditions themselves. Her music combines beautifully subtle old-time banjo with soft sensibilities, mixing elements of both Canadian and American historical traditions with a decidedly modern sound. This Ear to the Ground piece features interview dialog and live session performances of Kater’s original tunes. Recorded and filmed by Beehive Productions in Saranac Lake, NY

Tags: banjo, Kaia Kater, video