Inventory of the Gene Bluestein Collection, 1955-2002

Collection Number 20379

unc seal
Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Collection Information
block Descriptive Summary
block Administrative Information
block Online Catalog Headings
block Biographical Note
block Collection Overview
block Organization of Collection
plus Detailed Description of the Collection
block Items Separated
Contact Information:
Manuscripts Department
CB#3926, Wilson Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
Phone: 919/962-1345
Fax: 919/962-3594
Email: mss@email.unc.edu
URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/
Processed by
Elizabeth Matson
Date Processed
March 2004
Encoded by
Elizabeth Matson
Date Encoded
March 2004
Back to Top

Descriptive Summary

Repository
Southern Folklife Collection
Creator
Bluestein, Gene, 1928- .
Title
Gene Bluestein Collection, 1955-2002
Call Number
20379
Extent
145 items (0.5 linear feet)
Abstract
Gene Bluestein was an English professor, musician, folklorist, and social activist. Influenced by the folk music revival, he taught himself to play banjo, performed as a musician, and provided educational programs on folklore and folk music in his classroom, on the stage, and on television. For most of his career, he taught English at California State University, Fresno, where he started and facilitated the Folk Artist in Residence Program. In 1974, while on sabbatical in France, he formed a folk music band with his four children called the Bluestein Family, which performed for over 20 years. The collection consists primarily of materials relating to the folklore and performing career of Gene Bluestein. Included are field recordings made by Bluestein, Bluestein's educational programs on folk music, recordings of performances by Bluestein and the Bluestein Family, and recordings of other performers. The field recordings are mostly from Bluestein's doctoral research on Appalachian folk music and narrative and feature Cal Owens, Billy Edd Wheeler, Anna Barnett, Buell Kazee, and Fiddlin' Bill Jones, as well as Moses Asch, the founder of Folkways Records. The educational programs on American folk music include lectures, performances, interviews, and television programs. Recordings of the Bluestein Family include solo recordings by family members and in other groups. There are also recordings of a number of other folk musicians in performance, including Mike Seeger's Traveling Folk Festival, featuring Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen, Mike Seeger, Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, and Marc Savoy, and participants in the Folk Artist in Residence Program that Bluestein started at California State University, Fresno, including the Balfa Brothers, Bessie Jones, Kenny Hall, Richard Hagopian, Lydia Mendoza, and Jean Ritchie. Other items include recordings of Pete Seeger in concert, 1956 and 1957, and a 1969 benefit concert for playwright and social activist Marvin X (also known as Marvin Jackmon and El Muhajir) by the Fresno Folksong and Poetry Quartet (Gene Bluestein, Philip Levine, Robert Mezey, and Peter Everwine).
Back to Top

Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access
This collection has restrictions to access. Please see details below or contact the Manuscripts Department for more information.
Usage Restrictions
Use of audio and video materials may require production of listening copies.
Provenance
Received from Ellie Bluestein in June 2003 (Acc. 99523) and from Evo Bluestein in June 2003 (Acc. 99553), July 2003 (Acc. 99569), and August 2003 (Acc. 99593).
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Gene Bluestein Collection #20379, Southern Folklife Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Back to Top

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Appalachian Region--Songs and music.
Appalachian Region--Storytelling.
Asch, Moses.
Balfa Brothers.
Banjoists.
Barnett, Anna.
Bluestein Family (Musical group).
Bluestein, Gene, 1928- .
California State University, Fresno--Faculty.
Courville, Sady.
Fiddlin' Bill Jones.
Folk music.
Folk musicians.
Folklorists.
Hagopian, Richard A., 1937- .
Hall, Kenny, musician.
Jarrell, Tommy.
Jones, Bessie, 1902- .
Kazee, Buell, 1900- .
McGee, Dennis.
Mendoza, Lydia.
Owen, Blanton.
Owens, Cal.
Ritchie, Jean.
Savoy, Marc.
Seeger, Mike, 1933- .
Seeger, Pete, 1919- .
Social action.
Wheeler, Billy Edd.
X, Marvin, 1944-
Back to Top

Biographical Note

Gene Bluestein was an English professor, musician, folklorist, and social activist. He was born 1 May 1928 to Masha and Jack Bluestein, recent immigrants from Bessarabia (now Moldova), at that time part of Romania. He received his B.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Brooklyn College in 1950, his M.A. in English Literature from the University of Minnesota in 1952, and his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1960. With his wife, Ellie, he had four children, Joel, Evo, Jemmy, and Frayda.

Bluestein was introduced to folk music while at college. After seeing Pete Seeger perform, he taught himself to play the banjo and later played the guitar, steel drum, dulcimer, and other instruments. As part of his doctoral work, Bluestein collected folk music in Kentucky and rediscovered Buell Kazee, a legendary banjo player and recording artist of the 1930s. His Kazee recordings were later released on Folkways Records. Bluestein recorded two solo albums in the 1950s, Songs of the North Star State (an album of Minnesota songs) and Songs of the Holidays (an album of Jewish songs). In 1959, he taught at Michigan State University and formed the Bamboushay Steel Band with several West Indian students. From the outset of his teaching career, Bluestein integrated folk music and folklore into his literature classes.

In 1963, Bluestein joined the English faculty at Fresno State College (now California State University, Fresno). In the 1960s and 1970s, the English Department was a political hotbed. Bluestein and his colleagues supported the students during times of controversy over academic control, freedom of speech, and antiwar and civil rights protests. Bluestein assisted in establishing a Black Studies program, helping to bring playwright and social activist Marvin X (also known as Marvin Jackmon and El Muhajir) to campus to teach. He also participated in a benefit concert for Marvin X when he was fired along with many other instructors in an attempt to re-assert political control over the campus radicals. Bluestein helped found the Fresno Folklore Society and was instrumental in starting and facilitating a semester-long Folk Artist in Residence Program at California State University, Fresno. With the assistance of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the program brought in artists such as Jean Ritchie, Mike Seeger, Kenny Hall, Dewey Balfa, Bessie Jones, Lydia Mendoza, and Richard Hagopian to teach classes in their specialties and perform in the local schools.

In 1974, while on sabbatical in France, Bluestein formed a folk music band with his four children, Joel, Evo, Jemmy, and Frayda. Known as Les Bluesteins, the family first performed together in public in Paris. After returning to the United States, they continued to perform as the Bluestein Family. They recorded six albums together and toured Japan, China, Israel, Finland, and the United States. Even after the children had grown and mostly moved away, they continued to perform together at annual reunion concerts in California

Gene Bluestein retired from California State University, Fresno, in 1992. He was professor emeritus until his death at 74 on 21 August 2002.

Back to Top

Collection Overview

The collection consists primarily of materials relating to the folklore and performing career of Gene Bluestein, musician, folklorist, and social activist, and professor of English at California State University, Fresno. Included are field recordings made by Bluestein, educational programs on folk music by Bluestein, recordings of performances by Bluestein and the Bluestein Family, and recordings of other performers. The field recordings are mostly from Bluestein's doctoral research on Appalachian folk music and narrative and feature Cal Owens, Billy Edd Wheeler, Anna Barnett, Buell Kazee, and Fiddlin' Bill Jones, as well as Moses Asch, the founder of Folkways Records. The educational programs on American folk music include lectures, performances, interviews, and television programs. Recordings of the Bluestein Family include solo recordings by family members and in other groups. There are also recordings of a number of other folk musicians in performance, including Mike Seeger's Traveling Folk Festival, featuring Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen, Mike Seeger, Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, and Marc Savoy, and participants in the Folk Artist in Residence Program that Bluestein started at California State University, Fresno, including the Balfa Brothers, Bessie Jones, Kenny Hall, Richard Hagopian, Lydia Mendoza, and Jean Ritchie. Other items include recordings of Pete Seeger in concert, 1956 and 1957, and a 1969 benefit concert for playwright and social activist Marvin X (also known as Marvin Jackmon and El Muhajir) by the Fresno Folksong and Poetry Quartet (Gene Bluestein, Philip Levine, Robert Mezey, and Peter Everwine).

Back to Top

Organization of Collection

1. Field Recordings, 1955-1957 and undated
2. Educational Programs, 1958-1986 and undated
2.1. The American Folksong Television Series, 1958
2.2. "On American Folk Poetry and Music" Lecture, 1979
2.3. Folk Sources in American Culture Television Series, 1986
2.4. "American Folk Music" Lecture
2.5. "Frontier Music" Lecture
3. Bluestein Family, 1967-2002 and undated
3.1. Open Reel Tapes, 1967-1986 and undated
3.2. LPs, 1978-1986 and undated
3.3. Cassettes, 1981-1995 and undated
3.4. CDs, 1988-2002 and undated
3.5. Videos, 1977-1997
4. Other Performers/Concerts, 1956-1982 and undated
4.1. Mike Seeger's Traveling Folk Festival, 1975-1976 and undated
4.2. Folk Artist in Residence Program, 1977-1980 and undated
4.3. Other Performers, 1956-1982 and undated
Back to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Field Recordings, 1955-1957 and undated.

26 items.
Field recordings conducted by Gene Bluestein. Though many of the tapes are undated, they appear to primarily be from Bluestein's doctoral research on Appalachian folk music and narrative, which took place in the 1950s. The field recordings are primarily of Kentucky musicians, storytellers, and preachers. Cal Owens, Billy Edd Wheeler, Anna Barnett, Buell Kazee, and Fiddlin' Bill Jones are featured. In addition, there are recordings of folk music in Minnesota, including Slovenian music, Native American music, blues, and gospel. There are also several interviews from the 1970s with Moses Asch, founder of Folkways Records. All field recordings were recorded on open reel tapes. Note that original field tapes titles have, for the most part, been retained.
FT-11450: Appalachian mixed [church] service in Middlesboro (whooping preacher).
FT-11451: Ony Aminer, Ky. Field Trip.
FT-11452: Moses Asch interview, 13 June 1970.
FT-11453: Moses Asch interview, 25 June 1970, Tape 1 of 2.
FT-11454: Moses Asch interview, 25 June 1970, Tape 2 of 2.
FT-11455: Mrs. Anna Barnett, Berea, Ky., age 62, 25 October 1955.
FT-11456: Anna Barnett.
FT-11457: Jack Tale.
FT-11458: Fiddlin' Bill Jones, Frakes, Ky., 18 July 1957.
FT-11459: Fiddlin' Bill Jones, BK Records Interview.
FT-11460: Buell Kazee, Lexington, Ky., July 1957.
FT-11461: Buell Kazee, Lexington, Ky., July 1957.
FT-11462: Jack Tale, Cal and Gibson.
FT-11463: The World of Cal Owens.
FT-11464: Cal Owens, 23 July 1957.
FT-11465: C. H. Owens, July 1957.
FT-11466: Cal [Owens], John Smith, and Gibson, 19 July 1957.
FT-11467: Native American, Brown Oak Grove, Red Bay, Minn.
FT-11468: Red Lake (M).
FT-11469: Red Lake III, Chalie.
FT-11470: Chalie, side one/Budapest-Debussy, Ravel, side two.
FT-11471: Slovanian [Slovenian], Eveleth Kuntara.
FT-11472: Stony Fork Train, GB Field Research.
FT-11473: Thelma, Blues/Gospel, Minn.
FT-11474: Billy Edd Wheeler and Rev. C. H. Owens, 25 October 1955.
FT-11475: Billy Edd Wheeler, Berea, KY, 25 October 1955/Cal Owens, 1955-1957.

Back to Top

2. Educational Programs, 1958-1986 and undated.

15 items.
Throughout his career, Gene Bluestein combined his roles as educator and performer in a number of educational programs, which included lectures, performances by Bluestein and/or guest performers, and interviews of guest performers. Two serial programs were recorded by University television stations: The American Folksong aired on University of Minnesota Television in 1958 and Folk Sources in American Culture was taped at California State University, Fresno, in 1986. All of the programs are on American folk music.
Back to Top
2.1. The American Folksong Television Series, 1958.
1 item.
While an instructor of English at the University of Minnesota, Gene Bluestein recorded a series of 13 television programs called The American Folksong with University of Minnesota Television. The series aired Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on KTCH-TV, channel 2, from 8 January to 2 April 1958. The collection includes only the study guide for the program written by Gene Bluestein.
   Folder 1
Study Guide for The American Folksong.
Back to Top
2.2. "On American Folk Poetry and Music" Lecture, 1979.
1 item.
A video recording of a 45-minute lecture and demonstration by Gene Bluestein and his son, Evo Bluestein, from Jan Loring's class on 21 November 1979.
VT-20379/1: "On American Folk Poetry and Music," 1/2-inch CV.
Back to Top
2.3. Folk Sources in American Culture Television Series, 1986.
10 items.
Folk Sources in American Culture is a series of programs hosted by Gene Bluestein and taped at California State University, Fresno, in April 1986. The programs feature the Bluestein Family singing Black spiritual music, Richard Hagopian and folk music of Armenia, Lydia Mendoza and Mexican American folk music, Evo Bluestein on the history and significance of the fiddle in folk music, Nona Beamer and Hawaiian folk music, Jean Ritchie with folk songs in America, and Kenny Hall and his influence on traditional folk music. When the program was recorded, Jean Ritchie was a Resident Folk Artist at California State University, Fresno. The programs were recorded on Beta video. Some of the programs appear to be duplicates of differnt combinations of programs.
VT-20379/2: (#0750) Bluestein Family, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/3: (#0751) Richard Hagopian, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/4: (#0750/0751) Bluestein Family, Parts 1 and 2; Richard Hagopian, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/5: (#0752) Lydia Mendoza, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/6: (#0753) Evo and Gene Bluestein, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/7: (#0754) Nona Beamer, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/8: (#0752/0753/0754) Lydia Mendoza, Parts 1 and 2; Evo and Gene Bluestein, Parts 1 and 2; Nona Beamer, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/9: (#0755) Jean Ritchie, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/10: (#0756) Kenny Hall, Parts 1 and 2.
VT-20379/11: (#0755/0756) Jean Ritchie, Parts 1 and 2; Kenny Hall, Parts 1 and 2.
Back to Top
2.4. "American Folk Music" Lecture.
2 items.
A lecture given by Gene Bluestein on American Folk Music, recorded on open reel audio tape.
FT-11476: "American Folk Music," Side 1-Part One, Side 2-Part Three.
FT-11477: "American Folk Music," Side 1-Part Two, Side 3-Part Four.
Back to Top
2.5. "Frontier Music" Lecture.
1 item.
A lecture with musical performance by Gene Bluestein on the music of the American frontier, recorded on open reel audio tape.
FT-11478: "Frontier Music."

Back to Top

3. Bluestein Family, 1967-1986 and undated.

58 items.
From his early days of teaching, Gene Bluestein combined singing and playing the banjo with his lectures. At home, he often played and sang with his four children, Joel, Evo, Jemmy, and Frayda. It was not until 1974, however, when the family was living in France during Bluestein's sabbatical there, that he formed a folk music band with his children. They first performed together in public in Paris and quickly became known as Les Bluesteins. They later recorded six albums together as the Bluestein Family and toured Japan, China, Israel, Finland, and the United States. Even after the children had grown and several had moved from the area, they continued to perform together at an Annual Reunion Concert (sometimes referred to as an Annual Farewell Reunion Concert) in California. This series encompasses performances by the Bluestein Family in concert; on commercially produced albums, CDs, and video; and at recording sessions. It also includes performances and recordings by members of the family individually, in smaller combinations, or in other groups. Occasionally the recordings include other performers, most notably Jean Ritchie.
Back to Top
3.1. Open Reel Tapes, 1967-1986 and undated.
25 items.
The open reel recordings include the earliest recordings of the Bluestein Family and of individual family members. Of particular note is a recording of Gene Bluestein at Alview School in 1967 and one of a Les Bluesteins concert in France in the 1970s. The Bluestein Family Annual Reunion Concerts are represented with recordings from 1980, 1984, 1985, and 1986. There are several tapes of the Bluestein Family recording for a record, including an undated recording of California's a Garden of Eden, which is marked as "an early attempt at recording an LP," as well as appearances by the Bluestein Family and family members on radio station KVPR.
FT-11479: Gene Bluestein, Alview School, Madera Co., 26 January 1967.
FT-11480: Les Bluesteins, Farewell concert, August 1970s
FT-11481: Gene in concert, October 1972.
FT-11482: Gene, Joel, Evo, Jemmy Bluestein, November 1974.
FT-11483: Bluestein Family (Gene, Evo, Jemmy, Frayda), Wild Blue Yonder, 22 August 1975, Tape 1 of 2.
FT-11484: Bluestein Family concert, Wild Blue Yonder, 22 August 1975, Tape 2 of 2.
FT-11485: Bluestein Family on KPFA, Berkeley, Calif., November 1975.
FT-11486: Gene and Evo Bluestein, Brooklyn College, 1978, Tape 1 of 2.
FT-11487: Gene and Evo Bluestein, Brooklyn College, 1978, Tape 2 of 2.
FT-11488: Gene, Evo, Jemmy Bluestein, KVPR Radio, November 1978.
FT-11489: Bluestein Family, 4th Farewell Reunion, 2 January 1980.
FT-11490: Bluestein Family, Farewell Reunion, November 1984, Tape 1 of 3.
FT-11491: Bluestein Family, Farewell Reunion, November 1984, Tape 2 of 3.
FT-11492: Bluestein Family, Farewell Reunion, November 1984, Tape 3 of 3.
FT-11493: Bluestein Family, concert, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, 2 June 1985.
FT-11494: Bluestein Family, 9th Annual Farewell Reunion Concert, 8 May 1986.
FT-11495: Bluestein Family, California's a Garden of Eden, Tape 1 of 2.
FT-11496: Bluestein Family, California's a Garden of Eden, Tape 2 of 2.
FT-11497: Bluestein Family, KVPR (record).
FT-11498: Bluestein Family, recording session.
FT-11499: Gene Bluestein singing with children.
FT-11500: Bluestein Family.
FT-11501: Bluestein Family for a record #1.
FT-11502: Bluestein Family for a record #2.
FT-11503: Gene Bluestein with Ed Stanford's Kids (dub of Sholem Aleichem on side 2).
Back to Top
3.2. LPs, 1978-1986.
5 items.
All of the LPs are commercial recordings by the Bluestein Family or by family members in other groups. Evo and Jemmy Bluestein, in particular, performed as professional musicians outside of the family group. In this series, they are recorded as part of the Roundtown Boys (with Daniel Bradbury and Terry Barrett) as well as the Bluestein Family.
FC-14247: Roundtown Boys, Deadheads and Suckers, Swallow Records, 1978.
FC-14248: Bluestein Family, Sowing on the Mountain, Philo Records, 1979.
FC-14249: Bluestein Family, Let the Dove Come In, Philo Records, 1981
FC-14250: Bluestein Family, Travelin' Blues, Swallow Records, 1983.
FC-14251: Bluestein Family, Where Does Love Come From? Greenhays Recordings, 1986.
Back to Top
3.3. Cassettes, 1981-1995 and undated.
19 items.
Cassette recordings of the Bluestein Family as well as of individual family members in performance. Evo and Jemmy Bluestein, in particular, performed as professional musicians outside of the family group. They performed together on Strange Affair (1988), a recording produced for commercial sale, and in concert at Alta Sierra in 1995. Evo Bluestein also made a few individual recordings as well, including one of an autoharp concert in the Mosenberg, Germany, Music Fest in 1993. The Bluestein Family Annual Reunion Concerts (sometimes referred to as Annual Farewell Reunion Concerts) are represented in recordings of the 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990 performances. The 1984 Reunion Concert is particularly noteworthy for the inclusion of Jean Ritchie. The Bluestein Family tour of China is represented in a recording of a concert at the University of Changsha, Hunan, in 1989.
FS-6954: Bluestein Family, 6th Annual Reunion, 16 January 1981, Tape 1 of 3.
FS-6955: Bluestein Family, 6th Annual Reunion, 16 January 1981, Tape 2 of 3.
FS-6956: Bluestein Family, 6th Annual Reunion, 16 January 1981, Tape 3 of 3.
FS-6957: Bluestein Family, 7th Annual Farewell Reunion, January 1983.
FS-6958: Bluestein Family, Unitarian Church Concert, Fresno, Calif., 7 April 1984.
FS-6959: Bluestein Family, 8th Annual Farewell Reunion Concert with Jean Ritchie, 20 November 1984.
FS-6960: Bluestein Family, 8th Annual Farewell Reunion Concert with Jean Ritchie, 20 November 1984.
FS-6961: Bluestein Family, Berkeley Jewish Community Center, 1985.
FS-6962: Bluestein Family, 9th Annual Farewell Reunion Concert, Wesley Church, 8 May 1986.
FS-6963: Bluestein Family, 11th Annual Farewell Reunion Concert, Julia Morgan Theatre, Berkeley, Calif., 8 May 1988.
FS-6964: Evo and Jemmy Bluestein, Strange Affair, 1988.
FS-6965: Bluestein Family, concert in China, University of Changsha, Hunan, 26 April 1989, Tape 1 of 2.
FS-6966: Bluestein Family, concert in China, University of Changsha, Hunan, April 1989, Tape 2 of 2.
FS-6967: Bluestein Family, 13th Annual Reunion Concert, Wesley U. Methodist Church, 24 March 1990, Tape 1 of 2.
FS-6968: Bluestein Family, 13th Annual Reunion Concert, 24 March 1990, Tape 2 of 2.
FS-6969: Bluestein Family (Gene, Evo, Jemmy), Music 74 Series, California State University, Fresno, Music Department performance, 4 May 1991, Tape 1 of 2 [tape 2 not deposited].
FS-6970: Evo Bluestein, Autoharp Concert, Mosenberg, Germany Music Fest, 1993.
FS-6971: E[vo] and J[emmy] Bluestein, concert, Alta Sierra, September 1995.
FS-6972: Evo Bluestein's Lalaedit, Tape #II [tape I not deposited].
Back to Top
3.4. CDs, 1988-2002 and undated.
6 items.
All of the CD recordings were commercially produced for sale. Recordings include the Bluestein Family as well as family members by themselves or in other groups. Evo and Jemmy Bluestein, in particular, performed as professional musicians outside of the family group. Evo Bluestein is represented in an individual recording, Evoharp, which was a re-release of an earlier album called Evo's Autoharp, and in the groups Lyquid Amber (with Hannsjoerg Scheid, Nino Moschella, and Kevin Hill) and Bad Boys Zydeco. Jemmy Bluestein was also a member of Bad Boys Zydeco, along with Mike Baloian, Sean Alderette, and Ben Leon. The Bluestein Family CDs consist of two recordings for children and a retrospective sampler of their earlier albums.
CD-4145: Bluestein Family, Good Mornin' Blues: Folk Songs for Children, Doghill, 1988.
CD-4146: Bluestein Family, A Horse Named Bill and Other Children's Folksongs, Doghill, 1988.
CD-4147: Evo Bluestein, Evoharp, Doghill, 2000.
CD-4148: Lyquid Amber, Drops of Rain, Datura Moon Records, 2002.
CD-4149: Bad Boys Zydeco, Step in the Right Direction, Owl Baby.
CD-4150: Bluestein Family, Shut Up and Sing! A Bluestein Family Sampler, Greenhays Recordings.
Back to Top
3.5. Videos, 1977-1997.
3 items.
Bluestein Family videos include two programs recorded at California State University, Fresno, and a commercially produced recording of one of the Annual Reunion Concerts. The two U-Matic tapes recorded at California State University, Fresno, by the university television station in 1977 and 1978 were presumably for television play. The Bluestein Family Reunion Concert recorded in 1997 is particularly noteworthy as it was a tribute concert for Gene Bluestein and the first time he was unable to perform with his children, Joel, Jemmy, Evo, and Frayda. Jean Ritchie joined the Bluestein Family as a special guest for this concert.
VT-20379/12: Bluestein Family Music, Program A, 8 p.m. Magazine, CSUF-ITV, September 1977.
VT-20379/13: Bluestein Family Music, Program B, CSUF-ITV, December 1978.
VT-20379/14: The Bluestein Family Reunion Concert, Doghill Productions, 1997.

Back to Top

4. Recordings of Other Performers/Concerts, 1956-1982 and undated.

46 items.
Gene Bluestein recorded a number of other folk musicians in performance.
Back to Top
4.1. Mike Seeger's Traveling Folk Festival, 1975-1976 and undated.
9 items.
Mike Seeger's Traveling Folk Festival performed in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Fresno, Calif., during 1975 and 1976 and possibly on a few other occasions. Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen, Mike Seeger, Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, Marc Savoy, Martin, Bogan, and Armstrong, the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, John Jackson, Lily Mae Ledford, and the Balfa Brothers gave workshops and performed during these festivals that were recorded on open reel tape.
FT-11504: Mike Seeger Troupe (Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen, Mike Seeger, Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, Marc Savoy), California State University, Fresno, May 1975
FT-11505: Workshop (Tommy Jarrell, Sady Courville, Marc Savoy, Martin, Bogan and Armstrong), California State University, Fresno, 1975.
FT-11506: Seeger Troupe (Tommy Jarrell), Fresno, 1975.
FT-11507: Seeger Troupe (Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen), Santa Barbara, 1975.
FT-11508: Seeger Troupe (Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, John Jackson, Lily Mae Ledford, Balfa Brothers), California State University, Fresno, 1976.
FT-11509: Seeger Folk Fest (Martin, Bogan and Armstrong), University of California, Santa Barbara.
FT-11510: Seeger Troupe (John Jackson, Mike Seeger).
FT-11511: Seeger Troupe (Martin, Bogan and Armstrong).
FT-11512: Seeger Troupe (Martin, Bogan and Armstrong, Tommy Jarrell, Blanton Owen, Sady Courville, Marc Savoy, Dennis McGee).
Back to Top
4.2. Folk Artist in Residence Program, 1977-1980 and undated.
25 items.
While teaching English at California State University, Fresno, Gene Bluestein started and oversaw the Folk Artist in Residence Program. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the program brought in a variety of well-known folk artists to perform, teach courses in their specialties, and visit local schools. The recordings in this series feature the Balfa Brothers, Bessie Jones, Kenny Hall, Richard Hagopian, Lydia Mendoza, and Jean Ritchie. Of particular interest is a Maestro-Apprentice final concert with Kenny Hall and Terry Barrett and an interview with Kenny Hall. Other artists joining in on some of the recordings include the Bluestein Family, Jemmy and Frayda Bluestein with Jean Ritchie, and Aly Bain and Cathal McConnell with Kenny Hall. With the exception of one open reel, all the recordings are on cassette.
FS-6973: Balfa Brothers, California State University, Fresno.
FS-6974: Balfa Brothers, California State University, Fresno.
FS-6975: Bessie Jones.
FS-6976: Bessie Jones in class.
FS-6977: Bessie Jones, California State University, Fresno.
FS-6978: Bessie Jones, Fresno.
FS-6979: Bessie Jones V.
FS-6980: Bessie Jones, noon concert, Fresno.
FS-6981: Bessie Jones.
FS-6982: Bessie Jones, Fresno.
FS-6983: Bessie Jones, Fresno, 14 May 1977.
FS-6984: Bessie Jones in class.
FS-6985: Bessie Jones.
FS-6986: Kenny Hall I, California State University, Fresno.
FS-6987: Kenny Hall and Terry Barrett, Maestro-Apprentice Final Concert.
FS-6988: Kenny Hall interview.
FS-6989: Kenny Hall, Aly Bain, Cathal McConnell at Bluestein home.
FS-6990: Lydia Mendoza, Kenny Hall, Dr. Pena at Bluestein's.
FS-6991: Lydia Mendoza, La Pena, 1980.
FS-6992: Jean Ritchie with Jemmy and Frayda Bluestein on "Cool of the Day," Fresno.
FS-6993: Jean Ritchie, 1977.
FS-6994: Jean Ritchie, Richard Hagopian, City College, 4 April 1979.
FS-6995: Jean Ritchie and The Bluestein Family in concert, 3 May 1979.
FS-6999: Bessie Jones II, California State University, Fresno [cassette missing].
FT-11513: Jean Ritchie and the Bluestein Family, Fresno, 3 May 1979.
Back to Top
4.3. Other Performers, 1956-1982 and undated.
12 items.
Recordings of other performers. Though these recordings are presumed to have all been made by Gene Bluestein, there is not enough information to determine whether some of them might be field recordings or part of the Folk Artist Program at California State University, Fresno. Of particular note are the Pete Seeger concerts from 1956 and 1957, during the time of Bluestein's doctoral research on folk music and narrative. There are also several recordings from the California State University, Fresno, including a 1969 benefit concert by the Fresno Folksong and Poetry Quartet (Gene Bluestein, Philip Levine, Robert Mezey, and Peter Everwine) for playwright and social activist Marvin X (also known as Marvin Jackmon and El Muhajir). Though most of the recordings appear to be of live performances, some of them may be dubs of other recordings. The recordings are on open reel tapes and cassettes.
FT-11514: Pete Seeger, Carleton Concert, November 1956, and Hillel and Aviva, Songs of Canaan.
FT-11515: Pete Seeger, Unitarian Concert, October 1957, and dub of children's album.
FT-11516: Centennial Folk Music Concert, 22 October 1958, Tape 1 of 2.
FT-11517: Centennial Folk Music Concert, 22 October 1958, Tape 2 of 2.
FT-11518: Marvin X Benefit Concert, Fresno Folksong and Poetry Quartet, California State University, Fresno, 1969.
FT-11519: Highwoods Concert Square Dance, California State University, Fresno, May 1975.
FT-11520: Malvina and Harry Liedstrand, Folk Forum.
FT-11521: Peter Everwine introduces Otis Pierce.
FT-11522: Center.
FT-11523: Robeson, Songs of Democracy, Songs of Israel.
FT-11524: Suomi Chorus directed by Jack V. Anderson, Virginia.
FT-11525: Top 100/Piano.
FS-6996: Jim Ringer, Mary McCaslin, WBY, 1978.
FS-6997: Joe Holley, Frank Hicks, Paul Anastasio, Rip Van Winkle, 11 February 1982.
FS-6998: Jim Ringer and Mary McCaslin, live concert, Café Midi.

Back to Top
Back to Top

Items Separated

Items separated include open reel tapes (FT-11450 - FT-11525), LPs (FC-14247 - FC-14251), cassettes (FS-6954 - FS-6999), CDs (CD-4145 - CD-4150), and videos (VT-20379/1 - VT-20379/14).