Special to the Plaindealer

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Two-time Juno-winning banjoist and Canadian Folk Music’s Artist of 2012 Jayme Stone performs his "Room of Wonders" concert at the Wright Opera House in Ouray at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Stone's music is inspired by folk traditions from around the world. "Room of Wonders," his latest album,  explores music from Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Brazil, Italy and North America.

The repertoire includes a movement from Bach’s French Suite, a Moorish sword-fighting dance and Stone’s lush, edgy originals. The concert is presented by Ouray County Performing Arts Guild with funding from the Telluride Foundation.

Stone thrives on unexpected inspiration: Japanese poetry, Brazilian literature, instruments he found while traveling in remote Malian villages. His award-winning albums both defy and honor the banjo’s long role in the world’s music, turning historical connections into compelling music.

The last chapter in Stone’s musical travelogue took place in Africa. He went knowing what’s still news to most: that the hide-covered instrument with an “extra” drone string we call the banjo actually comes from West Africa. He became particularly curious about the music that may not have made it across the ocean on slave ships headed west from Senegal and Mali in the 1600s. The resulting album, Africa to Appalachia, is a boundary-crossing musical collaboration with singer and maestro Mansa Sissoko.  You can hear Stone at www.jaymestone.com.

Tickets are available at the Wright Opera House starting at 6:30 p.m. the day of the show, online at www.ocpag.org and at Buckskin Booksellers in Ouray, Cimarron Books and Coffee in Ridgway, and Coffee Trader in Montrose.  Call 970-626-2970 for information.