As a Northwest clawhammer player, I have longingly read of the exploits of those folks who have had the opportunity to attend those wonderful events on the East coast such as the Maryland Banjo Academy, Tennessee Banjo Institute and Banjo Camp North (or should that be "Northeast?").

Email from Ken Perlman set the scene. After months (maybe a couple of years) of begging and whining by those of us out here on the West Coast, Ken and others were finally able to pull it together. Here was our opportunity. Due to the energy and efforts of the co-directors (Ken and Peter Langston) and numerous others, the "American Banjo Camp" - 'ABC'-- was born.

Yep folks, right here in the Northwest at Fort Flagler on the shore of the beautiful Puget Sound near Port Townsend, WA (of 'Fiddle Tunes' fame). As soon as I found out about it, I Plunked down my $100 down payment and waited anxiously. Of course, I had recently attended the Fiddle Tunes Festival at Port Townsend where we were exposed to the likes of Bruce Molsky and Jimmy Triplett, so I did have an opportunity to compare the events a bit…but after all, this was BANJO camp.

I immediately contacted my old friend; old-time music aficionado (and fellow OT banjo nut) Gordon Banks. He probably thought I'd been imbibing too much sour mash with my hushpuppies when I told him BANJO CAMP was coming west. Gordon moved out here from the East Coast to establish his medical practice and had previous experience attending Clifftop, Mt. Airy, Maryland Banjo Academy, etc. He agreed to take some time off from his Neurology practice to make the 5-hour drive and attend the camp. Of course the chance to ride up there with him in his nifty little PT Cruiser with the CD changer filled with multiple selections of Edden Hammond, John Sayler, Ed Haley, Bruce Molsky, etc. etc. etc. tunes, didn't hurt any, either. Gordon has to have one of the best OT record collections this side of the Mississippi (possibly anywhere). He is also a font of knowledge about old-time music and musicians and is well known for having built a great web page for Dwight Diller.

Wow... so many of these banjo icons showing up at an old artillery fort (after all, they do deserve to be 'canonized,' eh?).

So what was it like? After arriving and a brief orientation session, we all had a chance to settle in to our living quarters and learn the drill, so to speak. Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday consisted of Classes with either the old-time or bluegrass experts. Classes focused on stylistic techniques or music genre (fiddle tunes of Kentucky, Round Peak, melodic bluegrass, etc.). Evenings included displays / concerts with staff followed by late evening (and night) jamming at locations throughout the fort.

STAFF: For us Old Time and clawhammer specialists, we had the opportunity to sit at the feet of some modern masters of old-time banjo. For the Round Peakers and fretless players (don't fret, folks) there was Brad Leftwich, fiddler and banjo player of extraordinary skill. Those old-timers of us, who started playing back in the 60's and early 70's, our 'hero of the Highwoods String Band' was there - none other than Mac Benford. In addition, Ken Perlman provided his intricate and beautiful melodic playing that sometimes bordered on mind-blowing musical pyrotechnics. Bluegrassers got to study under the tutelage of such icons as Bill Evans, Peter Schwimmer and (Ta Dah!!) Bill Keith. Wow, almost enough to get a guy to cross over to the dark side and grab up a Stelling or something…(heh, heh).

More local/Northwest staff filled out the roster. Folks like the Canote Brothers, Jere and Greg, were available to play backup, give workshops (including banjo uke, guitar, etc.), and play for jam sessions. The great NW fiddler Vivian Williams (a fiddle champion equally at home with all styles of fiddling, including old-time and bluegrass) was a key staff member, available to give workshops and support jams. Peter Langston, co-sponsor of ABC, performed some of his phenomenal bluegrass flatpicking and vocals. Lots of others, too numerous to mention…talent, talent, everywhere. All camp staff were great.

CONCERTS: An introductory session on Friday night enabled folks to see just what we were in store for. Ken briefed us all and each staff member took the stage, talked about what they would be doing and did a little demo. On Saturday night, a full-scale concert of individual staffers plus permutations and combinations of staff created a near unbelievable meshing of banjoistic talents. Bill Keith knocked out a couple of killer tunes that left us sitting with our mouths hanging open (not an unusual condition for banjo players, according to my wife).

JAMMING: Jamming, jamming, jamming… (did I mention jamming?). Lots of opportunities with both guided jams and individual smaller-group gatherings. Folks playing a variety of instruments provided fiddle, guitar, mandolin (yes, and even banjo ukulele) backup. All types, all levels.

FOOD AND FACILITIES: Sleeping in the barracks at Ft. Flagler, did take me back to my Army days during the late 60's - squeaky bunks and open bays. Fortunately, facilities were in good order and they didn't require us to spit shine our boots, paste-wax the floor, or sleep in bunkers to avoid the mortar shells. The food was good (sure beat the Army chow) with excellent vegetarian alternatives.

VIGNETTES: A huge treat was to see the two icons of melodic playing in clawhammer and bluegrass - Bill Keith and Ken Perlman -- sharing a session in the dining hall where they played melodic tunes, individually and TOGETHER, hitting melodic notes in their respective styles. I caught another session later where Ken P and Mac Benford played some old time fiddle tunes together, Ken doing his killer melodic runs on his beautiful Ome while Mac played that high-energy Rhythmic style that revitalized old-time string band music back in the 70's.

MY 'HIT' ON THE EXPERIENCE? I was immediately ready to go back and hound the other folks in my string band to start learning and arranging more of those wonderful old fiddle tunes so I could put what I learned into play into practice. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know other players, get some tips from better players and just play, play, play. A lot of mentoring and sharing also went on among fellow participants. Staff were helpful and friendly both in and out of class.

If you haven't had the opportunity to attend a banjo camp, give it some serious thought. It was considered a resounding success by most if not all participants. According to Ken they plan to do it again next year. For those of you out West who considered it and decided not to go this time, I suggest you try it. See you there?