Thomas Brown like what???

@@Flopthelot58 lmgtfy.com/?q=black+banjo+players+early+20th+century

Maybe not, but a banjo is a lot like an Akonting. As is the playing technique.

Its very much like a banjo Round in shape Uses animal hide for a head Has a short drone string Is traditionally played in what we call "clawhammer" style

It is the direct forebearer of a banjo. Early banjos were all gourds, without frets. Later drum companies sterted manufacturing them en-masse in the late 1700's with the now familiar hoop drum body, but still sans-frets. That wasn't until mid 1800s or so. While it's not the SAME, it is a direct evolution. There are writings from the late 1500's describing the gourds insturments with "less than 6 strings" and paintings from early american artists of the later pre-minstrel period banjos. I think some art from a jamaca plantation in early 1700s is the first to explicitly feature the short drone string.

six string cello sounded awful lol i hate too much reverb lol.

her bow technique sounds rough too, is that to get over tones? people say shes great..?