Our Story

…in 2015 the Thursday Evening Banjo Nights were born. They would work on a banjo, then have a beer and solve the world’s problems. They’ve been friends for over 30 years.

JD Dennis began making things with his hands as a kid, then developed his woodworking skills in shop class in high school. He designed and built theater sets for hight school and college productions and majored in studio art and design at SUNY Geneseo, developing skills in ceramics, metal work, weaving, drawing and sculpture. His graduate studies focused on sculpture in ceramics and metal.

After returning to Rochester, JD worked building custom furniture before being hired at the Strong Museum in 1981. Starting as a carpenter he worked his way up to production supervisor of a team that brainstormed, designed, and built exhibition environments. In 2003 he left Strong to start his own business as Hartworks, designing and building exhibitions, creating community art works, and remodeling homes. From 1983 to the present he essentially rebuilt his 1867 home in Rochester’s South Wedge. “I’m a maker of things,” JD says. “I cannot not make things.” From spoons to banjos to homes he continues to dream, design and create.

David Frenzel is a retired social worker who has played music since he was a child. He started in coffee houses playing folk music in the early 70s, then later studied jazz guitar with Tom Rizzo and Dick Longale in Rochester. He has played in a variety of bands over the years: country swing with Tammy Whynot and the Tumbleweeds, jazz and rock with Mr. Twang, and most recently old time fiddle music with WildRoot String Band. He plays guitar, mandolin and banjo.

Dave’s interest in banjo led him to make a primitive mountain banjo, then in 2014 to take a banjo-making workshop with Mike Ramsey. He had so much fun that he talked JD into making banjos together, and in 2015 the Thursday Evening Banjo Nights were born. The pair would work on a banjo, then have a beer and solve the world’s problems. They’ve been friends for more than 30 years.

Dave and JD both retired recently, and launched Hickory Street Banjo. While they have increased the number of banjos they create, their goal is the continued attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that have always been the mark of a Hickory Street product.

We appreciate your interest and hope you will contact us if you have any questions about our banjos.