News From Stu Jamison

Subject: RE: News From Stu Jamison
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 05:09 PM

Interesting. You do understand, Dick Greenhaus, that this statement was a direct quotation from Stu's letter? I myself did not say it... I guess I did think it could be true, as I've not heard other banjo players say much about Rufus Crisp; I'm not a banjo player- guess that's why! If you're asking for an apology, I do hereby gladly and humbly give one. I'm a sort of naive person, and my object in beginning the thread is just to make people aware of the project, of what some folks are trying to do,and to pass on Stu's invitation to any who're interested, to participate. All the best, Jean

Subject: RE: News From Stu Jamison
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:03 AM

Well, one other banjo picker whe learned directly from Rufus is named Pete (Seeger, that is). Also alive.

Subject: RE: News From Stu Jamison
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 02:49 PM

Well, Dick, maybe this discussion will bring more pupils of Rufus Crisp out in view! I never met him myself, but have known Stu Jamison for many years and know that he is very dedicated to Rufus' music and memory. I have a vague recollection that Rufus was related to him, maybe. We'll ask... anyway, I just thought the people who know Stu should know about his current struggle with Parkinson's, and his fairly miraculous brain-stimulator operation, and his worry about the time schedule to get all this done. I'm full of admiration for his priorities, and think that if anyone is interested, and feels like giving helpful suggestions, now is the time. Jean

Subject: RE: News From Stu Jamison
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 01:10 AM

Thanks Jean. For many of us Rufus Crisp is just that nice old gentleman in the picture in Seeger's banjo book. I have heard a couple of cuts of him at Sandy's but I'd love to get to see some of his style in detail.

Rick

Subject: RE: News From Stu Jamison
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Apr 01 - 09:04 PM

Stu- I, too learned from Rufus. Does that make me dead? Margo Mayo and I went down to visit him back in 19-ought-53. If I can get my reel-to-reel recorder back from Sandy Paton, I may have some usable tapes. Margo's neice, as far as I know, has her old wax masters of Rufus; I guess they're the property of the LOC, but I could try locating her if it would do any good.

Subject: News From Stu Jamison
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 27 Apr 01 - 03:37 PM

My friend Stu Jamison wrote recently. He's not (yet) a Mudcatter, but gave me permission to quote parts of his letter...some of you may be interested. He hopes to get his collection tapes of the late Rufus Crisp (great banjo-player and old-time musician) onto CDs, but is currently held up by lack of permissions, etc. More about that as it develops. Meantime, he thinks that the next best thing might be:

"For a couple of years Mike Seeger and other banjo scholars have urged me to make a video of Rufus' techniques and deposit it in the Library of Congress. Rufus' stuff is so decorated and complex no one can figure it out by listening. Because of my Parkinson's tremor and lack of coordination I stalled them all. Now, because of the results of my deep brain stimulator operation I've got to get going. I am the only living person who learned directly from Rufus. The problem is that videotape is not good for archiving; it loses its volatile plasticiser within 15 years and becomes brittle. A DVD should last 200+ years if taken care of.

Problem: it requires digital video recording...involves studio grade videocameras which rent for $240 to $450 pr day. Amateur DV camcorders fairly good, but no rental co. carries them as they're not studio quality. But digital has benefits- easy to edit so I can show two views of the hands at once onscreen. If...a couple of people could loan DV camcorders, that would take care of a large expense. There'd still be editing-technician's time charges and cost of one DVD. Lots of people want a videotape and would be happy to pay extra to help out. I'm thinking of going the grant route. Any ideas?"

Stu and two other musicians have three songs on MP3 (look for "Stu, Tom & Bill")and plan a total of 23, "so people can download them for a fee- I think twelve dollars- and burn their own CD...artists get 50%. They come with song remarks, bios and history of the 'lost' recording, and cover drawing."

Stu is a grand person and passionately dedicated to old-time music. If you don't know him, you ought to. Let's hope he'll soon join in here at Mudcat. Jean