New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint, composer, pianist, producer and performer, passed away after suffering a heart attack while on tour in Spain earlier today, Tuesday November 10th. Composing hits, such as Al Hirt’s “Java” and Benny Spellman’s “Lipstick Traces (On … Continue reading →
On September 23, the folk music community lost one of its guiding lights with the passing of Jerry Epstein. To sum up all the contributions and inspiration this man provided is an impossible task. Labels of folklorist, singer, arranger, conductor, … Continue reading →
WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS Playlist for July 26, 2015 Over the past few years, I find myself broadcasting memorial shows much too frequently. The folk music community recently said farewell to another influential member when Theodore Bikel passed away on July 20 … Continue reading →
We received the sad news yesterday of the passing of one of the great revival singers of traditional songs, a teller of tall tales, and a pillar of the Chicago folk song community: our dear friend Art Thieme. Art passed … Continue reading →
Perhaps the best known and definitely the most influential bluesman ever, Riley B. King (we’ll get to the B.B. shortly) was born to sharecroppers in 1925 in Berclair, Mississippi, a crossroads encampment just outside the whistle-stop town of Itta Bena … Continue reading →
Folksinger, civil rights activist, folklorist and organizer Guy Carawan passed away this past Saturday evening, May 2nd, at age 87. A dear, gentle and thoughtful man, Guy was a powerful and key figure in championing southern music and culture, and … Continue reading →
Sad news today as word that Dobro player Tut Taylor has passed at age 91 on Thursday morning. Known for his contributions to John Hartford’s revolutionary Aereo-Plain record, Taylor was a beloved name throughout the bluegrass and old-time music community. … Continue reading →
Thurday, March 26th, brought the sad news that John Renbourn, the legendary guitarist and Pentangle founder, had died from an apparent heart attack at his home in Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Renbourn was 70 years old. These words from … Continue reading →
American music historian, author and musician Samuel Charters passed away on March 18th. Known for his field recordings of influential blues musicians, many of the works Charters uncovered went on to inspire and shape much of today’s musical landscape. Born … Continue reading →
WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS Playlist for November 9, 2014 For nearly four decades, Irish American musician, singer and songwriter Danny Quinn entertained audiences in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and England. He performed in pubs, coffeehouses, concert stages and festivals, singing a blend … Continue reading →
