Lecture: NJ Folk Revival Music – History and Tradition

Sunday, June 3, 2018 / 1:00 – 3:00 PM
The Dey Mansion will host Clifton, NJ author Michael Gabriele for a program on his book “New Jersey Folk Revival Music – History and Tradition” on Sunday, June 3, 1-3 p.m. The program is free and open to the public, refreshments will be served and copies of the book will be available for sale.

Gabriele’s book (190 pages with over 80 photos), published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press, provides a chronological narrative on the evolution, traditions and history of traditional folk and folk revival music in the Garden State . The story begins in the colonial days of tavern revelers and fiddle players in the 1700s—the time frame that coincides with the days of General George Washington and Alexander Hamilton at the Dey Mansion.

The book traces advent of the “Guitar Mania” phenomenon in the 1800s; the life of the legendary, wayfaring Pine Barrens fiddler Sammy Giberson; monumental recordings made by Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family, Paul Robeson, Jimmie Rodgers and Cecil Sharp at the Victor studios in Camden during the early 1900s; the career of Paterson-born author and social activist Millard Lampell; inspirational New Jersey concert performances by legendary artists Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan; the development and growth of music festivals and organizations throughout the state; to the rise of bluegrass and new grass traditions.

Folk revival music is a “living history” that builds upon time-honored traditions. The book documents the Garden State’s vast contributions to this musical genre and examines the effects of folk revival music on local history and culture, as well as how it has changed lives—those on stage and those in the audience.

This is Gabriele’s third book on Garden State history published by The History Press. A lifelong New Jersey resident, he’s a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist and freelance writer for four decades. He’s a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society and serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

*** Tours of the Dey Mansion will be offered following the presentation.

Seating is limited. For reservations or for more information please

contact us at (973) 706-6640 or email to kellyr@passaiccountynj.org