The PBS series on the Blues which began tonight, and continues nightly this week, includes a “cane” player. It is shown played with drums primarily- they say fife and drums- but it’s sure different than
any fife and drums I ever heard. The roots are shown in Africa where they play similar instruments.
Anyway, the player makes these five hole(I think) instruments from cane. He was shown pouring some water through it to make it sound better, then played along with a guitar player on “Sittin on Top of the World”. It is side blown.
If you get the chance - watch this series this week. From the looks of this first one tonight, it is well worth the time.
I saw that program as well. It was Otha Turner. I was sad to see In Memory of Otha Turner at the end of the program. Luckily he did pass on the tradition to his granddaughter.
I liked the early, B&W footage of him playing with the drummers and he was really putting himself in the tune. He was dropping to his knees and really leaning into the tune. Makes me wonder if Jimi Hendrix had seen that footage before moving off to London and starting the Experience.