Jan. 7, 2017
Tribute to John “Preston” Williams
In early January 2017, we learned the saddest news. Master blacksmith John “Preston” Williams, Sr. died in a tree cutting accident. The tribute we wrote at that time is published in a PDF linked below. John Preston Williams 1956-2017
Dec. 5, 2016
Tribute to Donivan Bailey
In December 2016, we were incredibly saddened to learn that Donivan Bailey, a 2015 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program master artist, had died unexpectedly. Linked below is a PDF with the tribute we published when we learned the sad news. Donivan Bailey
June 21, 2016
Tribute to Homer Boyd
Thanks to our friends at History Museum on the Square, we’ve learned of the loss of Homer Boyd of the famed vocal group the Philharmonics. The Springfield News-Leader shared an in-depth story about Mr. Boyd’s contributions to arts, culture, and history in the region. RIP, Mr. Boyd. https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2016/06/20/homer-boyd-one-million-singer-and-local-black-history-expert-dies-unexpectedly/86151250/ …
March 11, 2016
Tribute to Louis Meyers
Sad news. We learned that Louis Meyer, former director of Kansas City-based Folk Alliance International, died unexpectedly in Austin, Tx. Our sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow musicians. https://www.kcur.org/post/louis-meyers-former-folk-alliance-head-and-imaginer-bluegrass-tommy-dies?fbclid=IwAR0WQL0jOFoAcqEA2AGpFPKFTcleharukzVkitOc9X9qPrUnflQguZaLvzY#stream/0 An obituary for Louis Meyers can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/louis-meyers-8209385…
Nov. 18, 2015
Tribute to Butch Antal
We are sad to learn that Butch Antal of Ashland, Missouri died on Friday, November 13, 2015. Mr. Antal and his band the Storyville Stompers often performed in the 1990s via our small touring project, Missouri Performing Traditions. Audience members from communities like Versailles, Smithton, Marshall, and Van Buren will surely remember the band’s Dixieland Jazz music. We extend our sincere sympathies to Mr. Antal’s family and friends. Rest in peace. You can find an obituary for Butch Antal here: http://www.columbiatribune.com/88b138ae-0954-5fd2-9630-abd2e4b68402.html
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. …
July 1, 2015
Rural Missouri: 30 Years of TAAP
Read Jim McCarty’s feature on Missouri’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program here!
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…