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Tribute to Jackie Alper, Her Relentless Fight for Social Justice, and the Music That Inspired Her
A folk musical written & directed by Andy Spence & Sarah Dillon.
CAST (alphabetical):
- Kate Blain (vocals)
- Greg Giorgio (narration, vocals)
- Howard Jack (bass, vocals)
- Ruth Pelham (narration, vocals)
- Mike Slik (dobro, steel guitar, vocals)
- Charlie Rhynhart (guitar, bass, vocals)
- Toby Stover (keyboard, percussion, vocals)
- Alan Thompson (piano, vocals)
- George Wilson (fiddle, banjo, 12-string guitar, vocals)
JACKIE ALPER was legend around the Capital Region folk music world, a familiar sight at folk concerts and activist events, recognized for her shirt or vest covered with message buttons. She was the host of "Mostly Folk," WRPI-fm’s long-running Sunday afternoon radio show; her on-air support of folk venues, festivals and artists helped make the area one of the largest and most vibrant folk communities in America.
Her massive music collection stretched back many decades, and on air she played a wide range of genres: contemporary and traditional folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, comedy, swing, Celtic, Gospel. Her playlists were anchored by songs from progressive musicians and friends such as Paul Robeson, Len Chandler, Bernice Reagan, and U. Utah Phillips. Often you could hear her interview one of them on the air.
Jackie was a charming force for good, a believer in speaking out, fun, humor and community, music for social change; and she just plain showed up. She believed in America and was a role model for many.
This tribute features the songs of the groups Jackie sang with over the years and the movements she supported, including:
- The Almanac Singers (1930s–40s)
- Anthems of the labor movement by Seeger, Guthrie, Sis Cunningham, Bess Lomax
- Songs of the Priority Ramblers, a group that coincided with Jackie’s work with folklorist Alan Lomax at the Office of War Information in Washington, DC
After WWII she worked in New York City for People’s Songs, an organization that connected musicians (Leadbelly, Guthrie, Seeger and others) with political activists, labor organizers and theatrical artists toward social change through music and the arts.
A fine contralto, Jackie once backed Paul Robeson in concert and co-wrote a song with Nina Simone. She was part of a tight circle of musical activists from the 1940s on who believed music can hasten social change. Living in Schenectady, she supported a host of regional organizations and venues — on-air and off — including The Eighth Step, Old Songs, Caffe Lena, Pick'n & Sing'n Gatherin’, and sloop Clearwater.
Ms. Music: the Jackie Alper Story is a folk musical (narration and song) written and directed by Old Songs founder & director emeritus Andy Spence and Sarah Dillon. The show title came from folk legend Ronnie Gilbert’s remarks onstage at Jackie’s 1993 Eighth Step retirement concert from WRPI-fm’s "Mostly Folk" (though Jackie later returned to co-host the show for another year). Ms. Music was extensively researched with input from family, close friends, co-workers at WRPI-fm, an interview with Jackie by Ruth Pelham, and more.
Come hear Jackie’s fascinating tale and the music that animated her over the years, sung by regional musicians who will always love and admire her.