Smithsonian Folkways Skiffle Bands

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution the national museum of the United States. They are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation preservation and dissemination of sound. Folkways Records believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials Folkways Records seek to strengthen people s engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others. Our mission is the legacy of Moses Asch who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document "people s music " spoken word instruction and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987 and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity education increased understanding and lively engagement with the world of sound. The skiffle band—a kind of ensemble that nearly disappeared after the 1920s—uses homemade or inexpensive instruments including washboards harmonicas jugs washtub basses kazoos tin flutes woodblocks and slide whistles to play a variety of songs. The recordings featured here were made between 1954 and 1957 and the musicians are mostly older men.- SKU: ZX99SFR0845