Q

How the banjo helped Kaia Kater understand her Afro-Caribbean roots

Kaia Kater brings her banjo into the q studio and talks about how folk music helped her figure out who she is as a musician and a person.
Head shot of Kaia Kater sitting outside against a leafy background.
Canadian banjo player Kaia Kater. (Todd Cooper)

Originally published on February 22, 2018

Kaia Kater is a banjo player who grew up in a household that loved folk music. Growing up as a bi-racial kid in Montreal, Kater didn't always feel like she belonged, but that started to change when she learned about American roots music.

She joined host Tom Power in the q studio to talk about how the origins of the banjo helped her understand her own Afro-Caribbean roots, and even brought her banjo along to perform a few songs.

Kater's latest album Nine Pin is out now. She'll be playing a special Black History Month concert at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Produced by Ben Edwards

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