Nov. 18, 2015
Tribute to Donald Cox
Donald Cox, an Elder Statesman of Kansas City Jazz, recently died unexpectedly. In 2002, Mr. Cox served as a master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, where he mentored young pianist Oscar Williams, III. Mr. Cox told us that he grew up near 18th and Vine, the historic heart of jazz in Kansas City, and he started playing piano at age 10. By age 14, he began to visit the Mutual Musicians Foundation for the epic late night jams. He had the opportunity to play over the years with the likes of Willie Rice, Jay…
Oct. 29, 2015
Tribute to Clarence Schaffner
We are sad to learn that Mr. Clarence Schaffner passed away this week (October 2015). Among his many occupations, Mr. Schaffner was a cowboy poet. In the 1990s, he often performed and toured with “Missouri Performing Traditions,” a project once administered by the Missouri Folk Arts Program and funded by the Missouri Arts Council. While living in Missouri, Mr. Schaffner founded Star Hill Prairie Art Institute in Rock Port. He was also a featured performer along with Martin Bergin in the Smithsonian “River of Song” project for public radio and television. Our sympathies to…
July 23, 2015
Tribute to Robert L. Reed
We are saddened to learn that master tap dancer and founder of the St. Louis Tap Festival, Professor Robert L. Reed, has died. Among other accomplishments, he was also a previous master artist in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (1996). We extend our condolences to his family, students, and friends. St. Louis Magazine published a tribute to Mr. Reed in 2015. …
May 18, 2015
Tribute to Joe Wilson
We are very sad to learn of the death of Joe Wilson–folklorist, advocate, producer, legend. His wisdom, actions, and wit guided so many in our field. https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/joseph-wilson An obituary for Joe Wilson can be found here: https://www.afsnet.org/page/InMemoriam…
Feb. 9, 2015
Tribute to Glenn Ohrlin
We are sad to learn that the great cowboy poet and singer Glenn Ohrlin of Mtn. View, Arkansas has died. Photo courtesy of Mr. Orhlin from the archives of the Missouri Folk Arts Program In the late 1990s, Mr. Ohrlin participated in a tour organized by Julie Youmans, then MFAP folk arts specialist, called “Cowboy Poetry and the Arts of the Frontier” via the former Missouri Performing Traditions project. A featured performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV and recipient of the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship, Mr. Ohrlin will be greatly missed by all. R.I.P.
Oct. 6, 2014
Tribute to Johnny Lee Vincent
Our condolences to the friends and family of Johnny Lee Vincent, founder of the Sally Mountain Show and Sally Mountain Park Bluegrass Festival. R.I.P. An obituary for Mr. Vincent can be found here: https://bluegrasstoday.com/johnny-vincent-remembered/…
July 14, 2014
Tribute to Judith McCulloh
We were sad to learn yesterday that Judith McCulloh has died. Dr. McCulloh was an exemplary leader in the field of folklore. For 35 years, she worked at the University of Illinois Press, where she was instrumental in the publication of both the Music of American Life and Folklore & Society series. Dr. McCulloh served as president of the American Folklore Society executive board, as a member of the American Folklife Center’s Board of Trustees, and is a Fellow of the American Folklore Society. She was the recipient of many awards, including the 2010 Bess Lomax…
July 13, 2014
Tribute to Ellen Gray Massey
We were sad to learn that Ellen Gray Massey, the inimitable Ozarks teacher and author, has died. If she were known for nothing else but editing “Bittersweet, the Ozark Quarterly Magazine,” that would be plenty. For ten years, she encouraged her students at Lebanon High School to interview their elders and document regional stories and traditions. “The concept of Bittersweet was cultural journalism and experiential education (learning while doing). The goal of the publication was to learn all aspects of running a business and at the same time, learn about the Ozarks, its geography, crafts, lore…
May 2, 2014
Tribute to Don Lipovac
R.I.P. Don Lipovac, of Kansas City, Kansas–polka musician extraordinaire and member of the Tamburitza Association Of America‘s Hall of Fame. Mr. Lipovac moved easily across the Kansas/Missouri state line, regularly performing at the Sugar Creek Slavic Festival in Missouri. The Kansas City Star published this article about Mr. Lipovac: https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article348356/Don-Lipovac-polka-king-of-KCK-will-be-missed.html An obituary for Mr. Lipovac can be found here: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=donald-anthony-lipovac&pid=170839977&fhid=4649…
May 1, 2014
Tribute to Luther Medley
We were very sad to learn yesterday that Luther Medley of Poplar Bluff passed away in October 2013. Photo by Rita A. Reed for Work is Art and Art is Work exhibition, 2006 Mr. Medley was an apprentice in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program with master luthier Bernard Allen in 1991. Mr. Medley then taught in TAAP as a master luthier in 1996 and 1997, and he was a featured artist in the traveling exhibition “Work is Art; Art is Work” in 2007-2008. Our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends. Rest in peace. Obituary…