Happy Traum

Renowned folk singer, writer, teacher, recording artist and firstrate fingerstyle guitarist Happy Traum was an important participant in the legendary Greenwich Village folk scene of the 1950s and ‘60s. He was a student of blues guitar legend Brownie McGhee, a major influence on his picking style. Happy has played in concerts, clubs and festivals throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan, both solo and with his late brother, Artie Traum. Their performances at the 1968 and 1969 Newport Folk Festivals helped to gain them an avid following and a contract with famed manager Albert Grossman. Happy has since appeared and/or recorded with Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, John Sebastian, Larry Campbell, Eric Andersen, Allen Ginsberg, Jim Kweskin, Maria Muldaur and many other major figures in the folk music world. One of America’s best-known guitar instructors, Happy has taught at major workshops throughout the country and overseas; is the author of more than a dozen best-selling guitar instruction books; and has produced more than 700 music lessons for his internationally-renowned company, Homespun Music Instruction. Happy’s latest CD, "There's a Bright Side Somewhere,” was released in July, 2022 and was at the top of the folk radio charts for more than two months.

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