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  Appearing throughout the day Jim
Hadley's back this year by popular demand. He might not be the most
famous musician on this year’s roster, but chances are you’ve seen
him perform. On Friday and Saturday nights, Hadley is a street musician
dancing to the music he plays outside of popular Five Points’ bistros
and eateries. Hadley
began his musical life in the fourth grade playing drums. Born in
Massachusetts, his father was in the Air Force, so Hadley traveled the
world before landing in South Carolina. He completed his associate
degree at USC, and he admits, “My mom’s thinking I should get a
regular job.” His dad, now a retired postman in Thomasville, Georgia
respects Hadley’s decision and Hadley says, “He sees life is more
precious so he understands where I’m coming from.” His
banjo playing began with a book that explained its use in African
ceremonies. The banjo is of African origin and was brought to the south
by enslaved Africans. Most people associate the instrument with the
bluegrass style of playing made famous in the early 1940s by Earl
Scruggs and other white southerners. The earliest African banjos had
four strings so Hadley removed his fifth string to stay as close to the
tradition as possible. “People don’t realize that things the
American culture has came from the African people. I want to teach the
truth about that through my music.” Hadley
spices up the mix with some tapping. He says, “I wanted more rhythm. I
had to make up my own steps to fit my style of playing.” The
world as his stage, he enjoys his performances for tips on Columbia’s
sidewalks. “You do what you want. You’re your own boss in your own
business. Playing the banjo and tapping, if I want more tips, I have to
work for it. Do a few more riffs on my feet and clear up my sound and
the tips build up.” Hadley
is also a sculptor and composes much of the music he performs. He relies
on African rhythms for the basis of his compositions, but can play
anything from jazz to calypso, zydeco to gospel, or ragtime to blues on
his four stringed banjo. “I like to inspire people to be creative and
express themselves,” he says. Columbia is fortunate to have such a multi-talented musician enhancing its streets with his unique brand of cultural flair. Festival goers will be pleased to know that Jim will maintain his “takin’ it to the streets” style by wandering amidst the crowd, giving them the chance to catch his one-man act up close and personal, just the way Jim likes it.
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