via The Klezmer Shack:

and Hillborg’s Clarinet Concerto “Peacock Tales”, with Martin Frost, clarinet:

“anybody can play 12-bar”:

Ton Van Bergeyk was a guitar hero of mine in the 1970s, an agile fingerpicker with a fine ragtimey repertoire. I’m delighted to discover via Keep Swinging that he’s still playing. Here’s one video:

and it turns out there are a dozen more too!

From 1:20 he demonstrates the elements of kora playing, and at 4:45 it’s jaw-droppingly gobsmacking:

A question from son John about banjo-like instruments led me on a YouTube chase that was very fruitful and ear-stretching. Here’s one of the real gems that surfaced:

Fernandinho do Cavaco, 11 anos:

…and several more here, and you’ll also enjoy this one. The future is assured!

And while you’re in the mood:

This fragment from 1956 conveys the sheer energy of Lionel Hampton’s performance:

(via Keep Swinging)

I’m not in the habit of paying a lot of mind to piano or vibraphone, but this one sure got my attention:

This prize is from Echidne of the Snakes: