Roger Sprung, 92, banjo player from Newtown

Newtown — The folk music world is mourning the passing of a legendary five-string banjo player, teacher and pioneer of progressive bluegrass.

Roger Sprung, 92, who was known as one of the founding fathers of the folk music revival of the 1940s and 1950s in New York, died on July 22 at his home in Newtown after a long illness, his friends said.

While Sprung enjoyed performing at high-profile venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, his friends said he got just as charged up playing improvisational jam sessions and jam parties in front of 50 or 100 people throughout his 76-year career. He loved developing young talent and always invited novice banjo players to join the seasoned veterans at all the jam sessions.

The teaching aspect of Sprung’s career, where it is estimated he had over 3,000 students, was showcased in 2020 when he was inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame in the Instruction and Education category.

Sprung, who is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Jennie and Emily, was as well-known for his affable personality and humor as much as he was for his grinnin’ and pickin,’ his friends said.

“It’s easy to talk about Roger because he was such a great guy, a great friend,” said Billy Fischer, a retired doctor from Bethel who plays drums. “I held large musician and dinner parties at my home that included Roger Sprung for 25 years (1990 to 2015). Later we would have jam sessions in my barn and 150 to 200 people would show up to listen. Roger would hold court, using his strong sense of humor to interact with people listening at a jam session.

“Sometimes his humor would be a little off color, but always said with a little twinkle in his eye. He was always respectful.”

The many notable musicians he played with over the years include Willie Nelson and Woody Guthrie. His television performances included appearances on variety shows like the “Dean Martin Show” and “Jimmy Dean Show.”

Fischer said Sprung was a mentor and teacher to many aspiring musicians.

“Roger didn’t care about age, skill level or ethnicity, everyone with a banjo was encouraged to come on stage and join in jam sessions,” Fischer said. “We all learned a lot from him.”

Sprung’s students included notable performers Erik Darling and Chad Mitchell. He influenced many artists including the musical act Kingston Trio, Doc Watson, Bela Fleck, Tony Triska, Jerry Garcia and Steve Martin, the American Banjo Museum says.

Sprung made it a point to perform year-round locally including the Bethel Library, Ridgefield Playhouse, at farmers markets, at the monthly Pasta Dinner and Jam Session fundraiser for the United Methodist Church in Newtown, at the annual Roxbury Pickin’ ’n’ Fiddlin’ Contest and in New York’s Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park.