A star-studded, gala farewell salute to the first lady of folk Jackie Alper, whose voice on “Mostly Folk,” WRPI-fm's long-running radio show, was a beloved Sunday tradition in the Capital Region. She often appeared onstage hosting Eighth Step concerts. Jackie died in early September at age 86 in Lexington, Mass., and will be remembered by many, both notable and obscure.
Friends and colleagues RONNIE GILBERT, BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON, and JACK WASHINGTON LANDRON, will be joined by (alphabetically): ANNIE & THE HEDONISTS, STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN, KIM & REGGIE HARRIS, CHRIS HOLDER, LANDFILL MOUNTAIN BOYS, MAGPIE, RUTH PELHAM, CATHY WINTER and others, including Jackie's children and grandchildren.
Jackie Alper's wide musical taste and encyclopedic knowledge encompassed folk, jazz,bluegrass, World, ethnic folk, and even classical and good pop. In the 1940s, she sang with The Priority Ramblers, organized by folklorist Alan Lomax from workers in the United Federal Workers Union in Washington, DC. The Ramblers performed locally and as far as Philadelphia and Baltimore and even for Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, songs they composed or adapted dealing with working and living conditions, combined with their patriotism. They later morphed into the Almanac Singers, which included Woody Guthrie as well as Seeger, Lee Hays and Gilbert, the latter going on to become the infamous folk supergroup The Weavers.
Instantly recognizable at concerts or on picketlines by her jacketful of political buttons, Jackie Alper was a staunch labor, peace and justice activist who spoke her mind clearly, fluently and often. Our heartfelt thanks to The Alper Family, who has generously donated proceeds to The Eighth Step in Jackie's name.
| Sunday, December 2 - 7:00 pm | Buy This Show |
