Remembering Folk Legend and Educator Happy Traum, 1938-2024

Happy Traum, Photo: Franco VogtJuly 17, 2024, was a sad day for acoustic guitarists, as we lost the beloved Happy Traum, 86, to whom we are all indebted for his decades of service to the community. Through his company, Homespun Music Instruction, Traum helped educate countless musicians on the techniques and practices of roots music. Emerging from the Greenwich Village, New York, folk scene of the 1950s and ’60s, he was also a brilliant performer and writer, whether playing with luminaries like Bob Dylan; in an acclaimed duo with his brother, Artie; or on the excellent solo albums he released selectively over the decades (see a transcription of his solo take on “He Was a Friend of Mine” on p. 59). In this series of remembrances, some close friends and collaborators—and Happy’s musician son, Adam—share their reflections on the man and his music. —Adam Perlmutter

A Life-Changing BookBy Richard Hoover, luthier and owner of Santa Cruz Guitar Company

As Happy Traum went about his humble business of making the world a better place, he also inspired a young me to learn to play guitar, attract the attention of the woman I’d spend the next 52 years with, and launch a custom guitar brand that would capture Happy’s heart a half century later.

At 15, my frustrating struggle to play guitar seemed insurmountable. I was too impatient to follow traditional teaching methods—I just couldn’t learn that way. A daily newspaper delivery to George Brown’s Small Town News and Smoke Shop became a fate-turning event.

New World Singers (trio), Photo: MAURICE SEYMOURThe evocative grown-up aroma of the newsstand’s adults-only ethos was enhanced by stolen glances at magazines like Police Gazette, True Confessions, and other delightfully forbidden titles. In the middle of this lineup, I noticed Mississippi John Hurt on a cover. 

This was the life-changing 1969 Oak Publications edition of Traum’s Fingerpicking Styles for Guitar. The arcane secrets of how to play my kind of music weren’t coded in musical notation, which was incomprehensible to my particular way of learning. Instead, through the gift of tablature, Happy showed me where to put my fingers and which strings to pluck. This set my life in the right direction.

Happy Traum in Washington Square with Barry Kornfeld, Courtesy of the Traum familyEarly in my guitar-making business, I began a decades-long and loving friendship with Happy; his extraordinary wife, Jane; and their son, Adam, a brilliant singer-songwriter in his own right. It was at neighboring NAMM booths that we bonded as one only can when stuck in an elevator—or trapped at a four-day trade show together.

My proudest career moment and personal success was seeing the circle complete with Happy’s desire for a Santa Cruz signature model. I am beside myself that, through divine serendipity, I might have inspired this extraordinarily good man to a fraction of the degree that his influence and integrity have shaped and inspired me.

Thank you, Happy, and your late, beloved brother, Artie. I learned to play, I won the girl, and you blessed me with a holy grail that opened the door to a fulfilling life based on love of the guitar and a career dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of how to make them.

A Bright Side SomewhereBy Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, folk multi-instrumentalists and educators 

This is how we will remember Happy Traum: playing his favorite Santa Cruz Guitar and singing about a bright side somewhere, which is also the title of his last CD. Happy was a dear friend, an incredible musician and, with his wife, Jane Traum, a visionary in the home music lesson world. 

As young folkies, we started purchasing Homespun lesson cassette tapes in the 1970s. His influence in the music world goes way beyond Homespun to concerts and tours with his brother, Artie, and collaborations with neighbors and friends like John Sebastian, Pat Alger, Rory Block, Bill Keith, Jim Rooney, and many more. 

Happy & Artie, 1973, Courtesy of the Traum familyHappy hung out in Greenwich Village and toured his way into the heart of the 1960s folk renaissance while mastering guitar styles and banjo styles from his heroes such as Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi John Hurt, Brownie McGhee, and Pete Seeger. His love of teaching gave access to people who wanted to learn everything from basics to complex guitar arrangements in the comfort of their own homes. 

The Traums expanded Homespun to add lessons in all acoustic instruments at all levels and with plenty for young musicians and little hands. The catalog of instructors, most of whom are also friends, is a who’s who of roots music. Their adventurous spirit even led to a video course on making sushi (no longer on the site). 

Happy’s heart and soul were wrapped up in the music, with respect for the traditions as well as its roots and branches. He treated newcomers like old friends. His warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm encouraged players at all levels. He knew a great song when he heard it and was always able to come up with a unique arrangement. He and Jane became part of the fabric of their Woodstock community and raised a beautiful family. We sang with the grandkids and made over 20 projects with Happy and Jane. They made every project a special occasion wrapped in wonderful hospitality and friendship. 

On May 23, 2024, we had our last text exchange with Happy as he battled with his cancer. He’d been supportive of each of us during treatment, and we wanted to return the good vibes. He ended with, “By the way, you guys are doing incredible things with your music and activism. I’m in awe, as is Jane.” Even as he struggled, he had positive, encouraging words that power us on. 

There is no adequate tribute to Happy Traum, but plenty of love and a bright side somewhere.

Happy Traum with Larry Campbell, Molly Mason, and Bill Keith, Courtesy of the Traum familyIt Seemed Like He Would Be Around ForeverBy Larry Campbell, singer and multi-instrumentalist

John Herald brought me up to Woodstock for the first time in 1978 after I joined his band. One of the first people he introduced me to was Happy Traum, and through him and Artie I soon found myself a member of the Woodstock Mountain Revue, a rotating ensemble with many of my musical heroes including the Traums, Bill Keith, Jim Rooney, John Sebastian, Paul Butterfield, and others. Happy and Jane’s house became the meeting place for music making and social gathering, and their generosity was palpable. Happy’s knowledge of and enthusiasm for all genres of roots music was inspirational and made a big influence on my musical trajectory.

Through the ensuing years, we participated in many projects together and became very close both professionally and personally. Happy’s music was always joyous and retained a certain purity that was born in the classic folk boom era of the late ’50s and early ’60s. That purity allowed him to project the essence of what made that music viable and appealing.

In the early ’80s, Happy, Rowland Salley, and I formed a trio and toured the European folk festivals that were ubiquitous at the time. It was always gratifying to see how, under his guidance, music would translate to all languages and cultures. Even if the words weren’t always understood, his generosity of spirit certainly was.

The Happy Traum Band, Courtesy of the Traum familyOn a personal level, Happy and Jane were friends that I could always talk to. They helped me through difficult times just by being there, listening, and caring. Whenever I make the turn onto Route 375 coming into Woodstock, their house is the first thing that comes into my mind, as it remains one of the strongest and most pleasant memories of when I first took that drive. 

Well into his 80s, Happy stayed both physically and mentally spry and agile. It just seemed like he would be around forever. He certainly made the best of the time that he was around. His friendship made a huge difference in my life and the lives of many who knew him; his teaching and performance made the lives of countless others better. 

A Generous Spirit By Rory Block, guitarist and singer-songwriter

I knew Happy and his brother, Artie, for most of my life. They were exceptionally decent, real, and wonderful people, as well as incredibly talented musicians. They formed a duo sometime in my preteen years, and burst onto the scene with their impressive album on Columbia. They were gorgeous on the cover, sounded great, and were among the first folk music stars to hail from Greenwich Village. 

Jane and Happy Traum at Homespun Music InstructionSoon many of the Village musicians moved to Woodstock, where Happy and his wife, Jane, founded Homespun. It started small and quickly grew into a burgeoning business that gave tremendous opportunity to up-and-coming and famous musicians alike. As it happened, Woodstock was fertile ground for world-class artists, so that was a magic formula for everyone. Homespun might have contributed more to the Woodstock economy and beyond than anyone will ever know. At times when I was broke, Happy would let me make a video and even give me a generous advance, for which I will always be grateful. 

Over the years, Happy toured both solo and with a band, wrote music recorded by major names in the business, and continued to carve out a successful career. He was a generous spirit, a straight arrow, and as honest as the day is long. He exuded a stabilizing warmth that made him a loving husband, brother, father, and friend. He touched many lives with his humanity and his music. On occasion, Happy and I would be on the same bill, and I would have the opportunity to call him up to play a duet. I will never forget the beauty of his playing, which lifted my simple version of “The Water Is Wide” to a level of celestial resonance. Happy was a great musician. But he was also, in every sense of the word, a good person.

The last couple of times I saw Happy he sounded better than ever. He looked ageless and handsome, an inspiration to us all. He was playing and singing with beauty and power. He will be missed terribly. I’m not sure they make ’em like Happy anymore.

Leaving the World a More Vibrant and Musical PlaceBy Adam Traum, guitarist and singer-songwriter

I have the good fortune to be Happy Traum’s son. He is primarily responsible for my love of music, instruments, the New York Yankees, and snazzy shirts. I should also mention my uncle Artie was also a willing co-conspirator in the music department, always supportive and constructive.

Adam and Happy Traum, Courtesy of the Traum familyAs a kid, I learned a few songs’ worth of guitar chords and was always welcome to sit in on jam sessions among Dad’s talented friends. It was always the place I wanted to be—right in the mix and strumming along. When I got good enough, I was encouraged to lead a few songs backed up by some great musicians.

In 2005, after 16 years working as a photojournalist, I started to transition into being a full-time musician. Picking together became even more fun. We’d do shows, festivals, and workshops, or sit down for some spontaneous jamming when visiting each other. Playing on each other’s albums was always special. But the first time Dad borrowed a lick I came up with made all the hours of woodshedding and hustling gigs worth it. 

Dad was an elegant musician who made everyone around him better. The grooves he’d lay down were always just right. He stayed intellectually curious about everything, always adding to his vast bag of knowledge, including new song arrangements that sounded both fresh and well-traveled at the same time. 

As a teacher, Dad’s gift was taking something complicated and making it seem simple. Although he and I never sat for formal lessons, if I heard something he played that I liked I would ask him to show me. He would also be excited to show me something cool he had just learned. He loved sharing music.

Happy Traum and Richard Hoover, Courtesy of Richard HooverDad’s knack for spotting young talent helped Homespun get the caliber of emerging artists like Keb’ Mo’ and Chris Thile. His respect among his peers led him to collaborate with legends like John Sebastian, Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, Levon Helm, and Jorma Kaukonen, to name just a few.

The outpouring of love after his passing is proof that he lived his life in the best possible way—on his terms, leaving the world a more vibrant and musical place.

In December of 2023, when I was back in Woodstock, Dad and I played one last time. He was tired from his chemo treatment the day before, but I gently goaded him into playing by picking up a few of his guitars. We talked about his favorite instruments, including their sonic and visual attributes, and traded songs back and forth. That stretch of an hour or so is one the great gifts I have been given in my life.

We always want more time with the people we love, and I know I will miss Dad every day. But I am grateful for the many years we had with him.