Joel Sweeny
Was a star banjo player in the 1800s and one of the best banjo players of his time. He played in what was termed "Banjo Style" which consisted of the thumb and the first finger. Joel Sweeny is widely regarded as one of the major contributors in the development of the five string banjo.
In 1841, at the Bowery Theatre, Joel Sweeny was advertised as the "Virginia Melodist" who would introduce those never-to-be forgotten Jigs, Reels, and breakdowns".2 Joel Sweeny was a star of the popular minstel shows of the 1800s, where the banjo was instrumental to the sound of the minstrel ensemble.
It has been argued that Joel Sweeny may have been the first person to contribute the fifth string to was was formerly the four string banjo.
