If you would like to add your thoughts to this page, please e-mail to letters@artietraum.com
Please allow a day or two for your contribution to appear. Thanks.

Was listening to NPR a few moments ago and a friend of Artie's called in to say a few words abvout Artie's passing. I was just a fan and was saddened to hear of his passing. My sympathy to all his family and loved ones.
William Smith
December 31, 2008

Artie is a great man imortalised in all the people he met and the magic music he made. I am filled with sorrow of his passing and for Mrs Traum and family for their loss. Through Artie though, the world has gained.
Artie - You'll live on...Thanks man!
Michael Barratt
Sydney, Australia - November 26, 2008

I have just stumbled across the news of Artie's death some months after the event. I only met him once in person. It was before a guitar workshop in Leeds and I was in two minds about going but, armed with an 20 year old copy of Mud Acres (a classic by the way) I made the journey across town. There were lots of people milling about but I thought I recognized Artie idly thumbing through the Guitar books. I made some silly comment like "Surely you dont need any of those!" and straight away he put me at ease,reminisced over the album cover and then started asking me about MY music. There was then this surreal conversation where I found myself swopping guitar stories with someone with his background. Not only that but he carried on even after his roadie was desperately trying to get him onstage. When he finally did play he was brilliant of course. Reading the other tributes to him I realize this connnection was not a one-off but simply a measure of his humanity and openness. It is very sad and a bit of a shock to think he isn't around anymore. I hope his family and friends can take some consolation from the many individuals like me who have been touched by his spirit.
Martin Zukor
Leeds UK - November 12, 2008

I saw this sad news today. In 1989, Mr & Mrs.Traum came to Japan for the live. It was organized by the record shop called Pied Piper House in Tokyo. I was an assistant boy of the shop, then. They treated me very very kind, and he gave an autograph on my guitar. Needless to say, the live was superb. I was able to meet him just once, but I hear his death and am full of sorrow. Mrs.Traum, my sympathy to you. Rest in peace. Pardon my English.
Masaru Minagawa
Tokyo Japan - October 24, 2008

So sad to learn, only today from the Taylor article, of Artie's passing. Love and hugs to Bev from afar. Artie! I couldn't imagine you going away. You are a true nurturer. We (musicians) always felt so loved and accepted around you. I imagine you are doing great work in the great Beyond, my dear brother. Thanks for your friendship. Great love, until we meet again. God bless. And dear Beverly, let us know if we can do anything for you.
Steven King
Chattaroy, WA - October 5, 2008

It was just last night that a friend called, and told me that he had read about Artie's passing in the most recent issue of the Taylor Guitar magazine. My sincere condolences to the Traum family.

It was in the early 70's that I first heard Happy & Artie (with Eric Kaz on piano and harmonica) at the Philly Folk Festival, and their songs just blew me away. As soon as I got home, I purchased their first Capitol LP, and started travelling to hear them whenever I could. I must have seen them a dozen times over the next several years. The highlight for me was when I convinced my fellow members of the Penn State Folklore Society to bring them there in concert. I got to meet and share dinner with them, and sat in the front row for both shows ( I was the annoying one hollering for them to play "Crab Shack").

Some music sticks with you forever. "The Hungry Dogs of New Mexico", "Brave Wolf", "Rabbit's Luck" - these are timeless songs, and have remained some of my favorites these many years. A few years ago, I was delighted to learn that their first two Capitol LPs had been reissued on CD (alas, only in Japan). I had worn out my vinyl copies, and sent for the CD. I slept very poorly last night, got up at 4:30 this morning, and gave it a tearful listen.

Thanks for the great music, Artie.
Peter Hennings
Floral City, FL - October 4, 2008

I never got to meet Artie, but have appreciated his music and his teaching since I first took up guitar as a youth in the 1960s. What a contribution he made in so many ways. I, too, have an ocular melanoma—but mine was caught very early and treated successfully.
Many thanks to Artie and Happy for all they have given to the community of music lovers and to humanity in general. Love and prayers to those most closely affected.
Dan Henkel
Indianapolis - October 2, 2008

On May 19th, 2003, my wife Cassie and I had the great pleasure of dining with Artie and Beverly in Williamsport PA. Artie had just done a guitar workshop at a downtown music store. Although I wasn't a "Traum scholar," I did explain that his accomplishments and recordings were always on my radar, ever since I picked up my first copy of Rolling Stone when I was about 13. He just laughed and shrugged. We had a pleasureable evening talking about guitars and the music business. He seemed at peace with his niche in life, and he obviously loved his wife.

Just today, I'd gotten an e-mail that my songs were playlisted on a New York web station, Radio Crystal Blue. I came in 11. Artie was 2. Beat me again! Love to everyone,
Johnny J Blair
October 2, 2008

I met Artie for the first time a couple of years ago at 'Acoustic Avalon', a guitar fest in Leicester England. I had of course as most guitar players do , have books, albums etc by the man but never seen him perform live. What a treat, not only was he a fine player but funny and sang some meaningful songs too boot. I met after the show and found him to be a warm and friendly guy, easy to talk to and and not shy of offering advise on playing techniques.I learnt 'Blue Hotel' from his DADGAD CD and it always goes down well at open mic sessions.

Artie will be missed by his friends and family for sure, but he will also be missed by the people that met him, listened to music and enjoyed his teaching. His legacy will live on in his books and DVD's and will never be forgotten. Goodbye and thanks for all you gave us. Love forever
Richard E Bircumshaw
Retford, England UK - September 19, 2009

Dear Artie, While we're all hurting from your death, you are probably off somewhere kicking up your heels, playing at the best jam session ever. I still remember swimming in a pond with you on a hot summer's day that was on someone else's property many, many years ago, and sleeping on your couch after playing with the Vanavers at the Woodstock Playhouse because you were one of the few gentlemen around in those days. We're all thinking of you and wishing you wondrous adventures way out in the bandwidth. You can be proud of the footprint you made here. love,
Julie Lyonn Lieberman
September 14, 2008

I had no idea of Artie's passing until I read the sad news in the latest Homespun catalogue, which I received yesterday. I've used many of Artie's lessons over the past thirty-four years and have been significantly enriched technically, emotionally, and spiritually by them; like all truly good teachers, Artie worked on all those levels simultaneously. My condolences to his family and friends. With profound appreciation for Artie's life and work,
Mike Schaefer
Conway, AR - September 10, 2008

I only "knew" Artie through the Homespun material. But I grew to think of him as a friend. My wife used to laugh when she came into our studio and found me jamming with Artie (via dvd), as if he were actually there in the room. Reading the letters of sympathy from all of Artie's friends bears credance to my regard for this fine man whom I never met. I was greatly saddened to open the latest Homespun mailer and read the memorium. My deep sympathies are felt for all of Artie's family and friends.
George Guthrie
Paluxy, TX - September 9, 2008

To Artie's Family and Friends: It is with great sadness that I learn of the recent passing of Artie Traum. I remember Artie as a student at CCNY before he was famous or acclaimed. He would sit and pick on the lawn near Findley Hall and I would just sit and listen. What struck me the most was how clean his picking was and his gentility and generosity. He would show you a lick or a run at the drop of a hat. I play a little guitar, Puerto Rican Cuatro, and Cuban Tres and, although I did not know him after I left CCNY, his influence on me remained as I recalled his picking on the lawn. My condolences to his family and to his many friends.
Dr. Jose M. Vadi
Pomona, California - September 4, 2008

Artie has been a teacher to me “at a distance” for so long that I don’t remember when I started to learn from him—books, magazine articles, tapes and all. In memory at least, he seems to have always been there since I first started performing here in Western Canada as a teen in 1962. The years of Homespun lessons have been a wonderful gift – and it is still more wonderful that through the audio and video lessons he will continue to teach and inspire players and performers for a long time to come. That being said, his passing is truly a loss to us all. My deepest sympathy to all Artie’s family and close friends, the many who have known him in person rather than at the distance education level that is all my experience of him.
Michael Ebsworth - folksinger and storyteller
Lethbridge AB Canada - August 30, 2008

Greetings, Friends and Family of Artie,
I was deeply saddened to hear that Artie was not with us anymore, and extend my sincerest condolences to his family. Artie Traum was a mentor and friend to me. He took time to help me out when others turned a cold shoulder. He didn’t take himself or his music too seriously, and that was a clue to me that I didn’t have to either. When I requested feedback on my songs he said, “I will be your producer from afar”.

Ironically, he was really much closer than he ever knew. He made sure to always compliment my craftsmanship (perhaps even when I may have been unworthy of it). I went to Summersongs 2001 to study with him, specifically, and he turned out to be the hippest instructor at the camp.

Although my favorite albums were “Letters to Joubee’: and “Meetings With Remarkable People”, I perform his “Yankee Swamp” as a tribute to Artie. I also explain to my audiences who Artie was to me: Artie was a class act who took time out of his life and made me feel important. I miss you Artie, and will never forget you. Stay tuned,
Ron Bennett
8/23/08

I just heard about Artie's death. I hadn't yet recovered from hearing about the loss of Robert Hazard, on the very day I was planning to see him in concert, when I came across the news about Artie as I was searching the Web for shows to go to.

My condolences to Artie's family. I hope you can at least find some comfort in knowing that many, many people loved Artie.

As for me, I'm grateful to have met Artie and Happy during the Woodstock Mountains Revue days, and again about a year ago at a show in Morristown, NJ. Though these meetings were brief and in-passing, I could sense the kindness, friendliness and depth of character of both Artie and Happy. As a lover of folk and blues, and a hack guitar player, Artie's music has brought me a lot of joy and pleasure over the years, and I'm sure will continue to do so. Thank you, Artie.
Robert Price
Newton, NJ - 8/20/08

My deepest sympathies to the Traum family.

I played guitar as a kid, and recently got back into it when I bought a Taylor and some of Artie's instructional videos on a whim. It has really made me a happier person. I ran into Artie in a newstand in Penn Station in June. I had been watching him on my computer for weeks and all of a sudden he was standing there. I mentioned to him that his videos had resparked my relationship with music. He gave me the warmest greeting, saying how much that meant to him. He was really rooted to the spot, making a very personal connection with some guy who accosted him in the train station. His train was announced and his wife was calling "Artie, c'mon we're gonna miss the train" two or three times, but he really wanted to share that moment with me, he seemed genuinely touched. It was just a moment, but I could see he understood what it meant to play a role in introducing (or re-introducing) music into a person's life. He must have led a very fulfilling life. My apologies to his wife and I hope they made the train!
Timothy Schmidt - MSG Entertainment
NYC - 8/19/08

I am deeply saddened by the news of Artie’s death. I met Happy and Artie Traum when I was a kid at Lincoln Farm Work Camp, and I remember Artie as Happy’s sweet, talented younger brother and best buddy, and a lovely guy. My heart goes out to Happy and the Traum family for this terrible loss. With sincerest sympathy,
Leslie Yudell
8/18/08

I wish to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Artie Traum. A few years ago, he presented a clinic for Taylor guitars in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Having attended many of the Taylor-sponsored clinics and having enjoyed many superb guitarists at those events, I can say without exaggeration that Mr. Traum was by far the most memorable. I enjoyed his presentation more than all of the others, and I learned more. He didn't show off; he imparted his knowledge and did so with great wit and humility. Of course, he showcased the Taylor product and did justice to his sponsor. But he didn't just promote Taylor guitars. He shared his musical wisdom and did so in a way that made it accessible to players of all levels. Offstage, he and his wife were very warm and cordial, and my wife and I enjoyed chatting with them. His passing is a great loss to his loved ones and to his fans.
Jim
Southern NJ - 8/18/08

Our deepest heart felt sympathies to all the Traum family. You are in our prayers. Artie was truly an immense contribution not only to the guitar/music world but to all whom had the privilage to meet him. I was privilaged to meet him twice. Once in Reading, PA and practically at my house, in Lancaster, PA. He made me feel that he was very interested in getting me to play guitar better. He stressed to me three very important factors. First, buy some of his dvd's. Second, stop squeezing the neck and pushing the strings so hard. Relax more and, third, don't get stuck behind barres. He emphasized the importance of more open chording. I have been doing my best to put his instruction into practice. Others have heard his influence in my playing. Thank you, Artie. I am very glad to have him on one of his dvd's where he will continue to teach me more of his lessons. And, I will always treasure his autograph surrounded by others from Taylor on my limited 614ce.

I plan to teach others the same advice from Artie as I would love to be remembered when I leave this world. To all who learned one or more treasures to playing guitar....pass it on! Blessings,
Scott Burkhart
Lancaster, PA - 8/17/08

Artie Traum, physically gone but spiritually and musically ever present. Thanks for leaving your mark on the world. I wonder how many others have benefitted and had their lives enriched in some way by having coming in contact with you either in person, in concert, or in one of your video lessons. I know I have an am very grateful.
Alan Brown
Hong Kong - 8/16/08

I never had the opportunity to meet you or hear you play in person, but my brother introduced me to your lessons, and also several albums recorded by you and Happy, and I really admired both of you. I was jamming last night at the living history museum where I work with a bunch of musicians who will be playing this weekend at our annual Fiddler's Fair. My friend on the security staff who told me about the jam mentioned wanting to learn how to play. When I mentioned Homespun, another musician spoke up to tell my about your passing, although he wasn't sure if it was you or Happy. I just now read the sad announcement. My prayers are with you, your family and especially to your brother. On Sept. 6, I and my family will mark the sad untimely death 20 years ago of my youngest brother to pancreatic cancer less than one month before his 31st birthday. God bless you and keep you, and may He give peace and comfort to all.
Larry De Wind
Caledonia, NY - 8/16/08

Artie was one of the nicest and most generous people I knew. XXOO
Buzzy Linhart
8/16/08

I was pained to hear of Artie's death. Back in the 1970s I was a "struggling poet," a Bard graduate and Lo, a live-in babysitter to the Traum children as their parents went together on one of Happy's Japan tours. One of my nights off was to co-host a monthly poetry open mike at the Sportsman's (was it the Whitewater?-- oh well, you know the one, across from the Esopus) Tavern. Uncle Artie was horsed into escorting me there.

I will always remember Artie's gentlemanly demeanor as I "guided" him through a night on the town in Phoenicia (!) He met all the poets and listened very patiently to all of them, then drove me home , making friendly conversation all the while. At the time I didn't understand what a wonderful musician he was, but I was always proud of having had the chance to meet him in this way. He was a model artist and a model man for a young woman such as me; way too old for me of course (!), but the sort of man I decided I should be looking for (and yes, I did find him).
O Traums: what a wonderful family! My heart goes out to all of you, in your loss; best wishes from me and from my family.
Tandy Sturgeon
8/15/08

This is sad and quite startling. Artie came to where I live (Winston-Salem, NC) 2 or 3 years ago doing a Taylor guitars workshop. What a nice guy with a really warm personality. We who know Jesus Christ as savior should all pray for Beverly, Happy, Adam, and the rest of the Traum family during this time of grieving. Let's also pray that if anyone affected by this doesn't know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, through this they will be saved.
David
8/13/08

Dear Beverly, We were devastated to hear of Artie's passing.. We have always thought the world of him and you as well. We are so sorry for your loss. One of the advantages of being a musician is you can leave so much of yourself and your love for what you do for the world to enjoy for generations to come. Arti sure did spread that love around. Please pass on our heartfelt condolences to Happy and the rest of the family. Love,
Lauri and Kal
Palm Springs - 8/13/08

Dear Beverly and Family
A few weeks have gone by since I learned of Artie's passing. I went on the internet to see where he was playing. As I've told Artie several times in the past, I was suffering from "Artie Withdrawls".

I was overcome with both shock & sadness when I heard the devastating news. We only knew you & Artie for about 8-10 years, but it felt as though it was a lifetime. We were lucky enough to have you both as guests in our home, break bread together & even do a little jammin' 1 weekend. You will be in our hearts forever.

Sadly missed,
Karen & Joe Abbo
Lewiston, NY - 8/12/08

I am so saddened to hear of your passing.
Thank you for your music. Thank you for getting so very much done, for getting on with it, for all that music.
I'm really sorry, Artie. All that talent.
My sympathies to Happy. sincerely,
gerald berke
8/10/08

It is so incredibly unfair when such a good human being departs our earthly surroundings. Your spirit will live on in all who you touched with your huge talent, your capacity to love and laugh, commitment to friendship, ability to teach and gift of just being Artie!

Sending my sincere condolences to Beverly, Happy, Jane and the entire Traum family as well as the friends of Artie. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Counting the blessings and looking forward ....
Jemethy
Woodstock Tribal Native - 8/10/08

Sad news arrived in Belgium on July 21, our dear friend Artie had passed away.amp; It was the late Derroll Adams who in the mid seventies pointed my nose on the great music by Happy & Artie Traum. Later I had the chance of booking them gigs in Europe and so we became dear friends. It was always great to pay them a visit when we were in Woodstock bringing Belgium chocolats… Woodstock will not be the same when we fly over on our next trip. We will keep the memory of Artie alive in our hearts and mind. Our deepest respect and sympathy to Beverly – Jane & Happy
"JP" – Sylvia & Kim Van Weyenbergh
Belgium - 8/8/08

I met Artie once, at a Taylor clinic. I'm sure he wouldn't have remembered me. But I think of him every time I pick up my guitar. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Jim Lash
Springfield, MA - 8/7/08

I was privileged to meet Artie a couple of years ago, when he came to do a workshop at the Music Emporium in Lexington, MA. He was on tour for Taylor Guitars, and needless to say his artistry and warm personality made for a wonderful and informative evening. I “got into” folk music about the same time as Artie, during the 60’s Folk Music scare here in the Boston area, and have been a musician and performer ever since. Artie’s gifts were always an inspiration, and although I learned of his passing only today, I felt the need to express my heartfelt condolences. His music will live on forever.
Jon Verdun
8/6/08

I was fortunate to be at what turned out to be Artie's last concert--May 7 at the Crandall Library in Glens Falls, NY. The concert was in a very nice small theater setting--about 100 people. I've seen Artie in all kinds of venues over the years, but I always marveled at what a wonderful performer he was in these small, intimate concerts. He gave himself very generously to his audience. I think that, by the end of the concert, everyone in that room felt as if they had made a new friend. For his last song, Artie played a beautiful rendition of "I Shall Be Released."
Tom Akstens
8/6/08

ARTIE----How do you say good bye to someone who is your heart and soul...It is not possible!! You are STILL HERE, Artie, you are still here...in all our hearts, and we, in yours!! We can't see you or touch you, but we can feel you...just on the invisible side of our fingertips...ARTIE....
Sue Davidson
8/6/08

I just happen to be surfing around and came across the notice of Artie's passing. Such sad news.

Its been many years since I lived in Woodstock but my fondest memories of the community especially included the always warm and interested greeting I would get from Artie.

I am greatly saddened by the news. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Lynda Braun
Santa Fe, NM - 8/5/08

I attended a workshop at Figtree Music in Lafayette LA several years ago. Artie was a real joy to watch and listen to. I did get to speak to him which was enjoyable as well… I was very sorry to hear the news of his death… and will pray for the family that God would give you peace… and, even a glimpse of heaven that you would know that Artie is at peace, in a wonderful place.
Brent McGee
8/4/08

Saturday I was playing a gig outdoors,It was the yortsayt (anniversary in Yiddish) of my father's death. I dedicated Besame Mucho ( which he had been responsible for promoting the English version), to him. It was also the first gig since Artie's passing. At the end as we often do, we ended with me singing "I Shall Be Released" and I dedicated it to Artie and my dad. Just at that moment a wind started up, that I noticed only because I was looking up trying to hold it together to sing the song. The wind only was blowing stongly through the tree tops and not on the ground. Soon after the song ended the wind stopped. I'm getting goosebumps as I write this.
Gerry Tenney
8/3/08

As I was going through some bookmarks of bands late Friday night (Aug 1st) I saw Artie's bookmark and thought since I had not viewed his site in a while it was a good idea to check it out. Something guided me there. I can't put into words what I felt when I saw the site and I learned of his passing. My breath left me. I am saddened deeply by his passing and embarrassed for not even knowing of his condition.

As so many had, I met Artie when he did a clinic at my store, Fig Tree Music (now closed) in Lafayette, LA. I was a great clinic and everyone had a great time. We were able to reunite Artie with some of his musical friends that they shared a deep mutual respect with and for one another.

We went out for dinner afterwards with some of those friends and had a great time. If my memory serves me right, Artie, Beverly and myself were joined by (sometimes it doesn't so forgive me if I am wrong) Michael Doucet, Sam Broussard and Sonny Landreth. It was great to have been at the table with them all. It was a memory I will cherish.

My impression with Artie was that he made everyone feel important and that he was a kind, gracious, joyous person that made the most out of life and that he enriched those that he loved and called friends. I felt that you could see his love of life in his eyes. He had "Happy eyes" as I call it. It goes without saying, but, I will. His talent was that of a truly gifted person and he was so willing to share it. I feel that Artie could have lived another 100 years and still have wanted to learn, play and experience life and still would have made the most of it. He was taken far, far too soon.

To have only shared one evening and a couple of other brief meetings with Artie and to have been left with such a strong, positive impression of this man I think is a testament to the kind of person he was. I am sure his family and his close friends realize just how lucky they were, and still are, to have known him.

My heart goes out to his family and I want them to know that they all have friends down here in Cajun country and you are always welcome. Don't ever forget that.

God's speed to you Artie. You will be missed, but never forgotten. As long as there is someone here that knew you and shared life with you and has memories of you, you will not be gone, just missed.
Michael Feigler
Breaux Bridge, LA - 8/3/08

It is with shock and sadness that I learn of Artie's passing. I had only known him to be warm, generous and supportive as a musician, a friend, and a human being. His spirit has been important.
Peter Gallway
8/2/08

The regular kind of generosity is when you do something for someone and they are aware of it and can express their appreciation. Artie had that kind of generosity. He also had the much rarer kind, the kind where you do something for someone but in a way that they aren't even aware of it. That certainly was the case in my first meeting with him.

It was the summer of 68 (I think) and for the first time I wasn't in school and I was hardly working, so I came up to my mom's house in Shady. There was one other house on the road being rented by a somewhat nutty film guy. Behind his house was a cabin and he offered it to me, I jumped at the opportunity because who wants to live with their mom when they're 23. So I moved in and found Artie was already there. We were both at the start of our careers and we easily became friends. He introduced me to swimming at snake rock. We both had girlfriends who worked in the city (someone had to work) and came up on weekends so the one bedroom was at a premium. We negotiated and traded off until after the third week Artie said “you know I'm paying rent for this cabin?” I was stunned, I thought he was a freeloader like me, and of course immediately was thankful for the couch, forget about the bedroom.

Thinking about Artie it suddenly came to me that I had taught him how to drive. That seemed so unlikely that I questioned my memory, but then it came back to me that he and an old girlfriend used to take long drives for the fun of it and no one likes to drive except for a new driver. Growing up in NYC you really don't have to learn to drive and Artie had a rough idea but together we worked the bugs out around the roads near my house in northern Vermont. That all seems a long long time ago.

Four years ago, when my dad died, Artie made the trip up to Monhegan Island to play at the memorial service. That was particularly poignant because I had used Artie's music in a short film about my dad that was shown at the service. I count Artie as one of my half dozen closest friends, the sort of people I know I can call up any time and have a good conversation with, or when I visit it's always fun. I know they weren't Artie's last last words, but the last words I remember when I was able to visit briefly when he was already very sick and limited to the couch were…”I'm so tired of blueberries.
Paul Goldsmith
8/2/08

We returned home today from two weeks of vacation and was met by the very sad news. Guess we are two persons that occupied only a tiny, tiny part of Arties life. Still - the few times we met he made us feel we were important to him. That's the way he was, always including making people feel well.

We shall miss this great personality and musician.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Beverly and the entire Traum family.
Tore Ax and Hilde Karlsmyr
Oslo, Norway - 8/2/08

We had the honor of having a fine Italian dinner with Artie and his lovely wife Beverly after his performance at Pro Line Music in Bucks County Pa a few months ago. Having been a Fan of Arties for many years, it was great to finally meet him and talk about music and life with him.

We are truely saddened over Arties passing. We was a gift to us all, and he leaves a legacy of love and alot of wonderful music.

Thank you Artie for allowing us into your life that night, and for the kindness and friendship you showed us. We will miss you.
Mitch 'n' Amy Schecter
Bucks County, PA - 8/2/08

My wife and I were listening to a lovely concert in a small museum on Cape Cod by Clif Eberhardt last week. Just before his last number, Clif announced that Artie had died, and there were several gasps in the audience, one of them coming from me. He dedicated the song, The Long Road, to Artie: "There are the ones you hold close to your heart."

I fell in love with Happy and Artie's music in college and saw them perform a dozen or more times in the '70s. I memorized all the songs on their Capitol albums. "Scavengers" from the second album was a particular favorite, and singing it over and over to myself got me through a particularly hellish morning in 1972 when the short-lived commune I was living on in rural Virginia was busted at 5 am by a dozen state troopers. (The charges were eventually all dropped.) "In their cruel way, there's mercy," indeed.

I got to meet them for the first time when I was helping Don Wade with the sound for a folk festival at the newly-opened SUNY Purchase, where I was a music student, and they were the headliners. They played a tremendous set, including a rambling intro to "Fare Thee Well Titanic" which somehow included Lesley Gore, and a ten-minute jam on "Earl's Crab Shack" with a kazoo solo from a student who had wandered on stage. Artie blew everyone away with "Night Song"--and he apologized afterwards for the fact that "Those weren't folkie changes." I still have the tape of it, although I no longer have a machine that can play it. Maybe it's time to get my old Tascam reel-to-reel fixed.

Some years later I got in touch with Artie to talk about "Cayenne," which I was reviewing for the Boston Phoenix, and we ended up talking for well over an hour about things like how to get along with your older brother (I have one who's a musician too), Joni Mitchell's tunings, and how brilliant David Torn (his neighbor at the time) was.
I will always associate Artie with Cape Cod, because it was there that about 15 years ago we heard him and Happy perform for the last time. They played an inspired set at the First Encounter Coffee House, and I introduced myself. The next day, he and Bev came by our rental house for blueberry pie. We talked long into the evening, and felt like we had known each other all our lives.

I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but I just wanted to express how much Artie meant to me as an artist and as a person. He will be very much missed. My deepest condolences to Beverly, Happy, and Jane.
Paul Lehrman - Mix Magazine
Medford, MA - 8/2/08

I never knew Artie well, but whenever our paths crossed he always treated me like an old friend. I first met him at one folk festival or another while I was playing in Arlo Guthrie's band "Shenandoah". He was one of those people that I just felt comfortable with immediately. He was friendly, funny, engaging, interested in what I was doing and complementary of my playing. We would run into each other every now and then and he always remembered who I was.

The last time I saw him was 4 or 5 years ago. He was offering a guitar workshop right down the street from where I live, so I signed up to attend and, again, after not seeing him for at least a decade, he remembered my name and seemed honestly interested in how I was doing and what I was up to.

I just heard about his passing today. He will be missed by many. The world was a better place with him in it.
Steve Ide
8/1/08

Dear Beverly and Happy,

I just heard the news today and wanted to drop you both a line to express my sorrow at Artie's passing on. It was just a few months ago we shared the stage at a guitar clinic for Melodee Music in Virginia, and the memory of the music we created together that day is ringing in my head right now. I didn't know Artie well, but I loved playing music with him on the few occasions we jammed on stage. I loved his demure creativity, making it look so easy for the rest of us, until we tried to duplicate what we just saw him do. I'm sure you will always have a hole in your heart, and I just wanted you both to know there are a lot more of us who didn't know him well, who will miss him too. Namaste'
Tom Prasada-Rao
7/30/08

It was my honor to book Artie's Workshops for Taylor Guitars for two years. He was always cracking jokes as we planned where he was traveling to for his next tour. One of my favorite memories of Artie was when I booked him for a trip up to Western Canada. I was born in Vancouver BC, and later in my youth (many years ago) I moved a couple of hundred miles inland to a beautiful town called Kelowna -- so I was always excited when I had the opportunity to book one of my clinician's up to British Columbia for a tour.

Sitting on a little-slice-of-Heaven called Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is really one of the most scenic places in the world. Artie must of thought so too -- cuz he called me as soon as he was back home after completing a very successful tour. "Hey, Kelowna!" was the first thing he said to me as he raved about how much he and Bev had enjoyed the trip up there. In fact, after that -- whenever we spoke he didn't call me David anymore -- he just said: "Hey, Kelowna!". That always made me smile. That was Artie -- always trying to make you smile.

I'll miss him. "Hey, Kelowna!"
David Kaye
7/30/08

Dear Jane, Happy and Bev,

I am so sorry to hear of Artie's death. I have a fond memory of a picnic in Artie and Bev's backyard where Artie presented his special "Shi'ite Chicken". We laughed heartily together. His love of life was contagious. He will be greatly missed.

My sincere condolences to you at this time of grieving. I will be in town next month and will get in touch. Love,
Judy Graham
7/30/08

artie was a great force in the picture. i met him in nashville tennessee when i'd just turned twenty and he and happy were making their second record for capitol. it was in the recording studio and scotty moore was there. being from up north of nashville and greener than a head of lettuce...i was daunted to find myself in that town in the first place...and in a room with scotty moore. on top of it here were these two serious brothers from new york city making a record of their own songs. i remember hearing the hungry dogs of new mexico which is a song that you only need to hear once for it to become a part of your soul. a couple of years later i was standing on the corner in the middle of woodstock when i looked up and saw artie come out the hardware store and i discovered that he and happy both lived there. a little while later they asked me to play with them. i was immensely lucky then in a number of ways for this unique and specific chance to proceed. whether it's a fair and comprehending thing to say or not...people do sometimes say that it's dangerous to confuse an artist with the art they made...as though the person will not measure up to what might be expected. there was no choice but to weld artie and his art into a single realm. every time we played the hungry dogs on any stage anywhere...and we played some rough places...the room gave way to the desert. this always amazed me...it was artie's magic come alive from the first note of the song. yes...artie brought the magic. he had a glorious book in him too and that is what i wished and prayed for to be written. he saw a lot...knew a lot...gave a lot...and gave it a lot of thought...all in honesty. he didn't just take things...he took things in...and then he gave back. you would have seen all this clearly in the book.

i could pick artie out of a crowd by just seeing his hands and the way they looked on the guitar...it was unlike any other's i've ever seen. the first time i saw him he was playing his guitar....which he was also doing the last time i saw him just a couple of months ago. wait a minute though...i just recalled that the day after that...we did something that he also took an especially keen pleasure in doing...eating lunch. our lives were wound up with curious coincidences and he was an inspiration for me in every way. i wrote songs as carefully as i could because for one thing...i knew he'd hear them sooner or later.

as i write this...i am moving on the highway past mount shasta just as the sky is going from black to grey and red way off in the east...early morning and there is a pale sliver of a moon hanging low off its north peak. it's exactly the kind of thing that artie took seriously...and it makes me wonder...i feel that he's maybe here riding with me and telling me that all is well. i seem to have the sense that he's going in to get cleaned up for another go-round. with gratitude i thank you artie....even though i can't thank you enough.
roly salley
northern california - 7/30/08

I met Artie only recently in 2004 at the NAMM show. I'm proud to say I was allowed to work with him, in 2006, on what many consider his best album. He was funny, generous, intelligent and a great musician. All those who knew him longer or better have expressed their regrets better than I. I wish I had had more time with him. We all miss him.

My deepest condolences to Bev and the rest of his family.
Michael Boshears
California - 07/30/2008

We first met Artie in December of 2005, when we were invited to perform at one of the legendary and magical Solstice Concerts that Artie and Happy put on in Woodstock every year. We attended a rehearsal at Happy's house the night before the show, and we felt very much in awe of the people we were rehearsing with, we had recently moved to the area and couldn't quite believe that we were in that room! Artie went out of his way to make us feel comfortable and welcome. He made us laugh and at the same time brought such effortless, serious artistry to every song he played. He truly elevated everyones playing. At the end of that Solstice concert, we all sang The Band's "Bessie Smith", which Artie introduced by telling the great story about the first time he heard that song - Rick Danko humming it to him and Happy at the old Grand Union, right after it was written. What a great night to be a part of, we will never forget it. Since then he has been our friend, and he even donated his time to play guitar impeccably and beautifully on a benefit CD for a local arts organization that we produced.

We were so lucky to have known Artie, and will always feel deep gratitude for the brief moments we shared with him. The kindness that he extended to us (with such ease) was so clearly an expression of his great and gentle spirit, as so many people have written here on this page, it was just the way he was. Our sincere condolences to the entire Traum family.

Elizabeth Mitchell and Daniel Littleton
Mount Tremper, NY - 7/30/08

I met Artie in Woodstock, back in 1975. In less than five minutes, it felt like I'd known him my whole life. He was family to anyone who was lucky enough to encounter him. Artie brought joy, laughter and deep insight wherever he went. He possessed qualities that are rarely paired together. A great musician and a great student of music. A wonderful storyteller and a great listener. A man of the world and a man who loved being home.

Artie hired me for his Life on Earth album. It was my first "real" record and one could not have a better introductory experience. I will always be grateful for the opportunity. Everyone I know who played with Artie seemed to have the same experience. Although it would have been easy, Artie never rested on past accomplishments. His music was constantly growing. His love for Beverly, his family and his friends (he has so many) was always evident.

When Artie and Beverly visited California in February, they made the time to have dinner with me, Jody, and my daughter, Lucy. Since Artie had been working on his memoir, he had all these incredible stories fresh in his mind - and we were fascinated by his tales of the early days with Dylan and The Band. We left dinner that night feeling like it was a magical evening.

Artie's warmth, generosity and humor will always be with us. We will miss him.
David Schwartz, Jody and Lucy
7/29/08

There are numerous examples of success, or grace in living. Artie had a handle on this. He did exactly what he wanted to do. And, it sounds like even in his passing, this same dignity was at the forfront
Paul Adams
7/28/08

I was lucky enough to meet Artie many years ago and spend special times with him, Bev, Happy, Jane and their family - even though we no longer live in Woodstock, we manage a yearly trip back east and a visit with the Traums is always one of the high points. From the moment I first heard Artie's music, I was hooked - he used to joke with me and say "DJ, you are my biggest fan, you should rep me" had I been in that business, it would have been an honor - you will be missed and your music will be treasured - my love and thoughts are with your family - rest in peace dear artie - love
dj
7/28/08

Dear family of Artie Traum,

I just got news of Artie's death through the website of Taylor Guitars. I had no idea and I am really in shock. For a number of years I followed his career, I bought quite some videos with his lessons from Homespun and recently I also bought his latest album which is wonderful. I listen to it several times a day. Now I will listen with a different feeling, a feeling of sadness because a great artist has left us (luckily with a great musical heritage).

I want to express my uttermost and sincerest condolences to Artie's family and close friends.
Roel Van Bambost
Belgium - 7/28/08

I was very sorry to get the news of Artie's passing today. I enjoyed his clinics at our store, and I will fondly remember getting to play a couple tunes with him at one clinic. Please give our condolences to his family.
Ken Rattenbury
Roanoke, Virginia - 7/28/08

Beverly, Jane, Happy and Artie have been my friends and neighbors for over thirty years. They helped make Woodstock a magical place. When I was in college (Vassar), I talked the Music Dept head into giving me credit for studying guitar with Artie. The dept. chair said that since many of the classics had their roots in European folk music, it made perfect sense for me to study American folk music. And who better to teach it than Artie, the master of wood and wire. I will always remember your generosity, warmth and humor. Thanks for your encouragement Artie.
Mark McKenna
7/28/08

Thank you for making our lives more enjoyable with your music. May you rest in peace.
Jan Hoiberg
Norway - 7/28/08

I apologize for not writing sooner. I have been thinking about Artie's death the way so many people in our community of Woodstock have been but didn't know about this website until recently.

His memorial was the most beautiful one I have ever attended. There were so many people surrounding each member of his family that I had no chance to offer my deep condolences personally. But my heart was with each and everyone of you the whole time. Like so many others, I saw Happy and Artie perform before I met them and was in awe of their talent. When I finally met Artie and even did a little work with him I, like everyone else, was amazed at how genuine and kind he was. And his death was not only a great loss for his family but for our community as well. Woodstock has lost a wonderful soul and true friend.
Steve Charney
7/278/08

Hi, ...my name is tony browne, from England, ..i've just heard of Artie's untimely passing, and i'd just like to say how very, very sad i am to receive this news!!!....in December, this world lost a profound musical genius, who truly touched people's hearts. His name was Dan Fogelberg. Heck, i still can't believe he's no longer around!!!!! His music left a truly remarkable LEGACY!!! The same, for me, is true of Artie and his beautiful voice & songwriting. I first heard of him, with his brother, Happy, in the early '70s, and recognised, straight away, what a fine, gifted, friendly voice, i'd found! In the mid-'7os, he played the Cambridge Folk Festival, with the'Woodstock Review'...(john Herald,Happy,Roly Sally et al), my friends & i met Artie, backstage, and a conversation began i can still recall, to this day! Just was obvious Artie was a great guy, warm friendly, humorous,a musician's musician, par excellence!!!! Anyway, my buddiies & i started collecting EVERY album/c.d., that Artie released, his vocals were always a sheer joy !!! Just a few years back, ...i wrote (personally) to Artie, to obtain an album called "South of Lafayette", it's one of his best, ..anyway, artie signed the disc, and even found time to put in a personal note, to me!!..His songs, like Mr. Fogelberg's, truly got inside you, and warmed the human heart!!!! Gee, i'm so sad to hear he's not here, any more, but the Bible speaks of a better place, Heaven, for all those who believe, ..may Artie be present i know i will be, thank you Jesus......i will treasure, even more the wonderful legacy, of songs and music, he has left behind,....g'bye ,for now, Artie, you were a great, great influence, on a whole generation of us music-lovers, we truly miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tony browne
Blackpool,England - 7/28/08

I did not know Artie, which is kind of strange, because so many people I know, people I love, am friends with, or have worked with knew Artie and knew him well. It was just one of those things that, for all the time I spent in Woodstock, at shows, etc., never came to pass: if there were two performances and Artie was performing at one but not the other, I may have been at the "other." If he was recording with a friend, I may have missed the session. If he was on a co-bill, I missed Artie, but saw the other act. So, unfortunately, I never actually "met" Artie, but I know--through so many of the people who cared about him, like Rick and Eric--what a great musician, kind person, and wonderful friend he was. I have heard a lot about Artie over the years--and all of it has been good, warm, and positive. I'd heard fairly recently from Eric Andersen that Artie was very ill and I felt so sad; I did say a little prayer for him and for you.

I am so sorry for your loss, Beverly, Happy & Jane and family. I hope the pain of losing Artie mellows with time--it will never go away, but the acute sting will subside; it will--and that one day, you will be able to think of him with only joy, not sorrow. If there is a Heaven--and personally, I believe there is-- your beloved Artie is in very good company.

Wishing you love, wishing you peace--
Carol C.
7/28/08

A dear loving gentle man of song great music charm and humor has left us so tragically and way too soon. So sad, so difficult to accept. Within each of us some of him will live forever.
My deepest condolences to Beverly, the Traums and to so many who loved him so much. Hugs,
Eldad Benary
7/28/08

I was a grad student at Penn state in the early seventies – and saw Happy and Artie in concert in Schwab Auditorium – a small, homey auditorium still standing today. It was a great time, a fun concert, lots of great music and I still remember some of the songs. Thanks for the music.
Sue Tendy
7/28/08

Beverly, Jane, Happy and the rest of the Traum family. It is with great sadness that I extend my heartfelt condolences. Artie was a gentleman, in every sense of the word. He is clearly mourned and missed and loved by many. May your memories of Artie live in your hearts and minds. . Rest in peace Artie.
Barbara Kleiner and Ben Umanov
7/27/08

My condolences to Happy, to Arties family and many friends.

I wasn't a friend, at best an acquaintance. "and I met a man he said he ran a junkyard" Forty years ago at City College. I booked Happy and Artie (among others) for a few concerts and coffeehouse gigs.

In the passing years since, whenever I was involved in discussions about guitar players, invariably I would say "you know, there's this guy, Artie Traum, from New York and he's pretty darn good"

I suspect in musicians heaven, Artie is showing somebody some pickin right now.

"with the first rays of light" Rest in peace Artie
Erl Suni
Kansas City - 7/27/07

So sorry we weren't in Woodstock to share in Artie's farewell tribute. We didnt know Artie as well as some of you, but what I did know was that he was someone who always made you smile and was always happy to see him.

I really enjoyed listening to his music, I was impressed about how broad his scope was musically and how talented he was...he left a great contribution.

Loved seeing him at the fruit stand, discussing food, having a laugh, being irreverent...a great loss for the family and our community.

Our thoughts are with Beverly and all who loved and were close to him, may you find peace at this time. Love,
Jack and Lydia DeJohnette
7/27/08

In about 1958 my parents gave me a guitar for my birthday and recommended I take lessons from the son of two of their close friends, Ruthie and Marty Traum, who lived a few blocks away in the Bronx, on Mt. Hope Place. Those lessons with Happy Traum opened up the world of music for me, and I became immersed in the guitar, folk style. I met Happy's brother, Artie, who was a year older than me and played the banjo, and we became good friends. We used to travel down to Greenwich Village on the "D" train to sing in Washington Square and hang out at Izzy Young's Folklore Center.

Artie and I went to City College and our friendship grew. I spent a summer at Lincoln Farm Work Camp when I was 16 in 1960 where Happy was teaching guitar and Jane was teaching drama. A bunch of the campers became good friends with me, among them Kurt Baker, Alan Herman, Larry Sandberg and Jimmy Sherman. Back in New York City I was spending a lot of time with Artie, whom I considered my best friend, and people such as Mike Meeropol. Artie dragged me along with him to, for example, play a duet with him on Billy Faier's radio show on WBAI. I wasn't an official member of the B-Flat Stompers, but I certainly played with them often. Artie and I went to a Newport Folk Festival together.

In the summer of 1962 Artie and I decided to travel in a car with a CCNY English teacher (and, it turned out, his two Japanese girlfriends) to go to take some classes at the University of California in Berkeley, camping out along the road on the way. We were going to meet up with Larry Sandberg out there. We wound up in Denver where Harry Tufts had the Denver Folklore Center and we slept on his floor, then Harry and a friend of his drove us out to California.

Out in California we played a lot of music, had a grand time, and met up with Marc Silber, a wonderful guy and a great musician. We used to hang out at the Berkeley Folklore Center, near to where Artie, Larry and I shared a crummy apartment. We decided, as summer was drawing to a close, to travel with Marc in his old Studebaker and stop off along the way at the Denver Folklore Center. Harry Tufts said he could get us a gig at the Attic, a Boulder club. We ran into a terrible storm and the battery on the Studebaker was conking out. We were driving through the Rockies and every time we came to a hairpin bend in the road we'd have to slow down and the headlights would dim! We realized we couldn't get to the gig, and Happy offered to fill in for the night along with 'Papa' John Phillips. I had come up with a name for our group – "The New York Public Library."

Artie wrote "Hungry Dogs of New Mexico" and included some lyrics relating to that odyssey. I cried when I heard that song. It was so brilliant, and was written and performed by my friend!

Years passed. I had a career in classical music radio, at WRVR, WNYC-FM and at the successful commercial classical station in New York City, WNCN. At WRVR, I featured his band Bear in a studio session, with Eric Kaz and Darius Davenport. I stayed in touch, loosely, with Artie, visiting him a couple of times in Woodstock, including one Christmas at Happy and Jane's. Then I retired and decided, with my British wife, to move to England, stopping first at our weekend house near Albany, NY. The politics of the Bush era and the knowledge that more than half of the US had voted to re-elect the cretin had made it impossible for me to stay. I saw an ad in a local paper that Artie was going to be appearing at the Border's bookshop in Albany, and my wife and I went. Artie was great and gave me a big hug, and my wife and I said hello to Beverly.

I had changed my name from "Biberfeld" to "Field" (better sounding when I did radio announcing and interviewing and because I didn't want my son to have the same problems with the name as I had). I had gotten very interested in magic, conjuring, and had done some performing and edited more than 70 magic books. I moved to England, which I love, and am now editor of "The Magic Circular", the monthly magazine of London's famous Magic Circle.

Artie taught me many things – about life, about music, and about having fun. I was never a good musician, although I loved playing, but Artie was great. I followed his shift from folk to jazz and back again, and revelled in his success with the Woodstock Mountain Review and his appearances with Happy.

I felt a real brotherhood with Artie – a shared spirit and a respect for art. He walked lightly through life, with a ready grin and willingness to explore uncharted territories.

He leaves a legacy of great music and a crowd of friends all of whose lives have been enriched by sharing the company of Artie Traum. I'm one of the few who knows Artie's middle name and hated childhood nickname. Goodbye, my dear friend.
Matthew Field
7/27/08

Artie was one of my musical heroes. Coming in from the New Jersey suburbs in 1965, just out of high school, I made my way like so many others to Washington Square and the surrounding neighborhoods. I found poets and painters and pickers there, people only a few years older than me, but who I thought were gods - the big guys - Dave Van Ronk, John Sebastian, Odetta, Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Eric Andersen, Phil Ochs, David Bromberg, Jesse Colin Young, Al Kooper and Happy & Artie Traum. Around that same time I discovered radio station WBAI in NYC and Bob Fass' overnight Radio Unnameable. It seemed like Artie and Hap were always in the studio, playing backup for whoever was passing through town. I wanted to do that, have a radio show like that.

By 1969 I was on a little station in East Orange, N.J. - WFMU. When Happy and Artie's first album was released that year I must have played "The Hungry Dogs of New Mexico" every single day I was on the air, wearing out the vinyl grooves of the LP. It touched me in that deep place where each of us is touched by powerful art. It still does, as I play my worn-out copy tonight on WFUV. Artie was the real thing - poet, painter, picker extraordinaire. Teacher. For the next four decades he would be there. Woodstock Mountain Review ... Bring It On Home ... I got to shake his hand a few times; I wish I could have known him better.

Whether it's "Hungry Dogs ..." or the heartbreaking "Last Tree In The Bronx" from his final album, his work was always as he was - vital, honest, loving and kind. He called that last album Thief Of Time. Those of us fans who didn't know he was ill had no idea what this title really meant. I wish you could have stolen time forever, brother. Thanks for taking us along on your ride.
Vin Scelsa
7/26/08