The Ebony Hillbillies is an American old-time string band based in New York City.
A recording of their music is held in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution's Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
History During the 1980s, Henrique Prince began putting together a band due to "an idea of specializing in dance music, because I really liked the idea of the violin as a dance instrument." He also wanted to make "music African Americans used to perform and dance to before they found the blues and jazz and the other stuff became associated with grizzled mountain white guys". Based in New York City, The Ebony Hillbillies began performing on New York subway platforms. As the band continued to perform they were invited to perform in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, Washington state's Wintergrass Festival, and the Kennedy Center.
Members Henrique Prince: violin, vocals Gloria Thomas Gassaway: bones, lead vocals Reggie “A.R.” Ferguson: washboard, “cowboy" percussion kit (consisting of organic wood and metal materials) William “Salty Bill” Salter: acoustic bass, voice Newman Taylor Baker: washboard Allanah Salter: vocals
Additional members Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon: washboard, percussion Dave Colding: acoustic bass, vocals Iris Thomas: vocals AW: banjo, bass
Deceased Norris Washington Bennett: Five-string banjo, mountain dulcimer, lead vocals
Discography 2004 — Sabrina's Holiday (EH MUSIC) 2005 — I Thought You Knew (EH MUSIC) 2011 — Barefoot and Flying (EH MUSIC) 2015 — Slappin' A Rabbit - Live! (EH MUSIC) 2017 — 5 Miles From Town (EH MUSIC)
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