Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways is a non-profit record label that is part of the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional music from around the world, including blues, jazz, and classical music. The label was founded in 1948 by Ralph Rinzler and Henry Glassie, and has since become a leading authority on folk music and world music, with a catalog that includes recordings by Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly. Smithsonian Folkways has also released music by Bessie Jones, Hazel Dickens, and Alice Gerrard, among many others, and has collaborated with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. The label's mission is to document and preserve cultural heritage through music, and to make these recordings available to the public through various channels, including National Public Radio and the Internet Archive.

History

The history of Smithsonian Folkways dates back to the 1940s, when Moses Asch founded Folkways Records, a label that released music by Jelly Roll Morton, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee. In 1987, the Smithsonian Institution acquired the Folkways Records catalog and established Smithsonian Folkways as a non-profit record label, with the goal of preserving and promoting traditional music from around the world. Since then, the label has released over 3,000 recordings, including music from Appalachia, New Orleans, and Haiti, and has collaborated with other institutions, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Smithsonian Folkways has also worked with artists such as Doc Watson, Rosalie Sorrels, and Jean Ritchie, and has released music from various folk festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival.

Discography

The discography of Smithsonian Folkways includes a wide range of recordings, from traditional folk music to contemporary world music. The label has released music by American folk musicians such as Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly, as well as by international artists such as Toumani Diabaté, Ali Farka Touré, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Smithsonian Folkways has also released compilations of music from various cultural traditions, including African American music, Latin American music, and Asian American music. Some notable releases include the Anthology of American Folk Music, which features music by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton, and Mississippi John Hurt, and the Classic African American Songsters series, which features music by Bessie Jones, Hazel Dickens, and Alice Gerrard. The label has also released music from various film soundtracks, including the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, which features music by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and Alison Krauss.

Notable Artists

Smithsonian Folkways has released music by many notable artists, including Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly. Other notable artists who have released music on the label include Bessie Jones, Hazel Dickens, and Alice Gerrard, as well as international artists such as Toumani Diabaté, Ali Farka Touré, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The label has also released music by American folk musicians such as Doc Watson, Rosalie Sorrels, and Jean Ritchie, and has collaborated with other institutions, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Some notable artists who have been influenced by Smithsonian Folkways include Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell, who have all cited the label as an important source of inspiration for their own music. Other artists who have been influenced by the label include Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Ani DiFranco, who have all released music that reflects the label's commitment to traditional music and cultural heritage.

Awards and Recognition

Smithsonian Folkways has received numerous awards and recognition for its contributions to traditional music and cultural heritage. The label has won several Grammy Awards, including Best Traditional Folk Album for its release of Pete Seeger's At 89, and has been nominated for several other awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship. The label has also received recognition from other institutions, such as the Library of Congress, which has awarded the label a National Recording Registry award for its contributions to the preservation of American music. Smithsonian Folkways has also been recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which has awarded the label several Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards for its contributions to traditional music.

Educational Initiatives

Smithsonian Folkways has a number of educational initiatives aimed at promoting traditional music and cultural heritage in schools and communities. The label offers a range of educational resources, including lesson plans, activity guides, and audio recordings, which are designed to help teachers and students learn about traditional music and cultural heritage. The label has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, to develop educational programs and materials that promote cultural understanding and appreciation. Some notable educational initiatives include the Smithsonian Folkways Education program, which provides educational resources and support to teachers and students, and the FolkwaysAlive! program, which provides funding and support to community-based folk music and arts programs. The label has also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Education Association, to promote arts education and cultural heritage in schools and communities. Category:Record labels