Hubby Jenkins

Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist and storyteller who brings the rich history of American roots music to life. A former member of the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, he explores the African American influence on country blues, ragtime, old-time banjo and fiddle music, and early jazz.

Strings of History: Exploring American Roots Music with Hubby Jenkins

Directions for the Teacher

Use this guide to engage students with the music and cultural history presented by Hubby Jenkins. Activities encourage listening, discussion, reflection, and critical thinking connected to American roots music and African American musical traditions.

Student responses may be spoken, written, drawn, or performed depending on age and ability.

Watch & Listen

Introduce students to Hubby Jenkins’ music through the videos below. Use the discussion prompts to guide classroom or at-home conversations.

Discussion Prompts

• What instruments do you hear in each video? How do they sound different?
• What feelings or images do these performances evoke for you?
• How do these pieces connect to American history and culture?
• What traditions or stories might these songs be sharing?

Activities & Extensions

• Instrument Exploration: Research the banjo and other string instruments common in African American folk music. Present findings in a poster or slide.
• Storytelling Through Music: Write a short story or poem inspired by one of the songs. Share how music can tell stories without words.
• Music and History: Investigate the historical background of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and how they revive traditional African American music. Discuss how history shapes music.
• Creative Composition: Using classroom instruments or found objects, create a short piece inspired by the rhythms and style of “The Crow” or “Riro’s House.”

Relevant Standards

• MU.68.H.1.1: Describe the functions of music from various cultures and time periods.
• MU.68.C.1.1: Develop strategies for listening to unfamiliar musical works.
• MU.68.H.1.3: Describe how American music has been influenced by other cultures.
• MU.68.H.1.4: Classify authentic stylistic features in music originating from various cultures.
• MU.68.H.2.1: Describe the influence of historical events and periods on music composition and performance.
• SS.8.A.1.7: View historic events through the eyes of those who were there as shown in their art, writings, music, and artifacts.
• MU.912.H.1.4: Analyze how Western music has been influenced by historical and current world cultures.
• MU.912.C.1.1: Apply listening strategies to promote appreciation and understanding of unfamiliar musical works.
• SS.912.H.1.2: Describe how historical events, social context, and culture impact forms, techniques, and purposes of works in the arts.
• SS.912.AA.2.1: Describe contributions of Africans to society, music, politics, and arts in the US from 1776-1865.
• SS.912.AA.3.12: Analyze the impact of African American role models in various fields in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• SS.912.AA.4.1: Analyze influences and contributions of African American musical pioneers.