Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens will present "Juba Zinga Jubilee" at The Met Fifth Avenue on Monday, June 22, at 7 pm, exploring the global connections of early banjo music. The performance, held in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, celebrates collector Peter Szego's gift of 19th-century banjos to The Met collection.
Giddens, a composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, will be joined by an all-star band including pianist Francesco Turrisi, guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, multi-instrumentalist Rowan Corbett, and banjo/fiddle player Jake Blount. Together, they will reimagine songs rooted in 1840s–50s banjo tunes, highlighting the instrument's significant role in American music history and its connections between Africa and Europe.
This special journey is part of The Met's programming to mark America's 250th anniversary. Tickets for "Juba Zinga Jubilee" start at $15 and include Museum admission on the day of the event. Giddens previously performed at The Met in 2023, bringing the world premiere of Shawn Okpebholo's Grammy-nominated "Songs in Flight" to life.