Roots musician Jerron Paxton to perform in concert at DePauw Feb. 21

Multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Jerron Paxton will present an evening of traditional American 19th- and 20th-century roots, ragtime and old-time string band music at DePauw University’s Green Center on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Thompson Recital Hall.

Courtesy of the artist

On Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m., the Green Center for the Performing Arts, in collaboration with the DePauw Performing Arts Series, will present a special Black History Month concert featuring multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Jerron Paxton.

Performing traditional African American music dating back to the early 19th century, Paxton delivers not only traditional country blues, but roots, ragtime and old-time string band music on guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, piano and button accordion.

Raised in the Watts district of Los Angeles in a family transplanted from Louisiana, Paxton learned some of his first tunes from his grandmother’s singing of traditional Cajun and country blues songs.

While his contemporaries enjoyed the sounds of more modern popular music, Paxton’s interests took him back in time as he explored traditional American music first on the fiddle at age 12, followed by the banjo a couple of years later. Before he reached the age of 20, Paxton mastered several other instruments.

Along the way, however, Jerron’s eyesight began to fail, and by 16 he was declared legally blind. Although he remains visually impaired, he nonetheless maintains an active performance schedule.

Now based in New York City where he is part of the traditional music community, Paxton regularly travels the country sharing his musical gifts and extensive knowledge of traditional music. In addition to folk festivals and colleges towns, he has performed at Carnegie Hall — along with Buddy Guy, Eric Burden and Edgar Winter, among others — and in a 2016 tribute to the great African American songster Lead Belly. Since then, he has also been a subject in two documentary film series about traditional music.

General admission to the Green Guest Artist series is $20, while tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free. Advance tickets may be obtained online by visiting dpugreencenter.eventbrite.com. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the Green Center box office beginning 60 minutes prior to the performance.

For more information, contact Ron Dye at rdye@depauw.edu.