Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge

Collected correspondence from arguably the most important folklorist of the twentieth century Alan Lomax (1915-2002) was one of the most stimulating and influential cultural workers of the twentieth century. He began working for the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress in 1936, first as a special and temporary assistant, then as the permanent Assistant in Charge, starting in June 1937, until he left in late 1942. He recorded such important musicians as Woody Guthrie, Muddy Waters, Aunt Molly Jackson, and Jelly Roll Morton. A reading and examination of his letters from 1935 to 1945 reveal someone who led an extremely complex, fascinating, and creative life, mostly as a public employee. While Lomax is noted for his field recordings, these collected letters, many signed "Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge," are a trove of information until now available only at the Library of Congress. They make it clear that Lomax was very interested in the commercial hillbilly, race, and even popular recordings of the 1920s and after. These letters serve as a way of understanding Lomax's public and private life during some of his most productive and significant years. Here he speaks for himself through his voluminous correspondence. An award-winning and Grammy-nominated producer, Ronald D. Cohen, Gary, Indiana, is the author of several books, including Work and Sing: A History of Occupational and Labor Union Songs in the United States; Chicago Folk: Images of the Sixties Music Scene: The Photographs of Raeburn Flerlage; A History of Folk Music Festivals in the United States: Feasts of Musical Celebration; and Alan Lomax: Selected Writings, 1934-1997.