Henrietta Yurchenco

Henrietta Yurchenco, one of the pioneers of the folk music community, passed away on December 9th at the age of 90.

In a career that spanned over 70 years, she became a world reknowned ethnomusicologist, author, producer, radio broadcaster and a colleague of such diverse individuals as Alan Lomax, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bela Bartok, Pablo Neruda, Aaron Copland, Charlie Palmieri and many others.

Professor Henrietta Yurchenco was a pioneer in the field of ethnomusicology. Her specialty was field recording of pre-Columbian native Mexican music. Her research and collecting also took her to Guatemala, Spain, Morocco, Puerto Rico and the Georgia Sea Island. She taught at the City College of New York where she was Professor Emerita.

Her contribution to folk music expanded to pioneering broadcasts in radio. A rare female voice in the early days of broadcasting, she began her radio career in 1940 when she served as Lead Belly’s producer on WNYC and she was the first person to get Pete Seeger on the air. (Click here to listen to a sample of a 1940s’ broadcast with Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.) During the 1960’s folk revival, she returned to WNYC to host “Adventures in Folk Music” which aired from 1961 through 1969. Over the years she produced and hosted many shows that featured individuals such as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan.

In 1970 she wrote the first biography of her friend Woody Guthrie, with the help of Woody Guthrie’s family.” A Mighty Hard Road” was aimed at adolescents and has served as an introduction to many readers of the legendary Guthrie. The book has recently been republished.

In addition to the Guthrie biography, Yurchenco wrote a number of books on the subject of folk music, including the recent book “IN THEIR OWN VOICES: Women in the Judeo-Hispanic Song and Story“. If you can find a copy, I suggest that you read Henrietta’s memoirs “Around the World in 80 Years” which chronicles her fascinating life and travels.

Her field recordings have also been issued on such labels as Folkways, Elektra, Vanguard, Columbia and other record companies around the globe. Her field recordings from 1942-1992 are now housed in the Folklife Division of the Library of Congress.

In recent years she became involved with an internet radio program called the Down Home Radio Show (Many of the programs are still available online at www.downhomeradiowhow.com). Working with co-producer Eli Smith, a NYC based musician, writer, researcher and promoter of folk music. Individuals like Henrietta Yurchenco do not come along often enough. Her work was influential and in my estimation she never received the recognition that she deserved. Her devotion to collecting and promoting folk music cannot be underestimated. Her spirit and strength are inspirational. Our condolences to all of her family and friends.