By Diaa Bekheet | Washington, DC

Cynthia Sayer Press (Courtesy photo:Gary Spector.)

It’s been relatively rare to see a woman playing banjo, but Cynthia Sayer has made a name for herself on the instrument, playing not only jazz, but also a mix of  music ranging from tango to classical, Western to pop.

“When I started to play the 4-string banjo, I didn’t have a reference to banjo at all. I learned from a woman named Patty Fischer, and I had no idea that time that women players were so extremely rare,” said Sayer in an interview with VOA’s Jazz Beat.

Joyride brings together a terrific group of musicians, including two who work with rock star Bruce Springsteen.

Listen to more music and interviews here on Jazz Beat