Happy Traum Dies: Folk Music Mainstay Of Greenwich Village Scene Who Recorded With Bob Dylan Was 86

In the realm of Greenwich Village’s folk scene from the early 1960s, Happy Traum, a cherished figure who collaborated with Bob Dylan, passed away on Wednesday in Manhattan at the age of 86. His wife, Jane Traum, shared that he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer after surgery, while residing in Woodstock, N.Y.

Happy Traum, along with his brother Artie, held a revered status in the folk music community. The duo graced the stage of the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island in 1969, embarked on global tours, and produced five albums together. The music world mourns the loss of Artie Traum, who succumbed to liver cancer in 2008, marking the end of an era for the Traum brothers’ musical legacy.

Happy Traum’s musical contributions resonate deeply within the folk music landscape, where his collaborations with Bob Dylan and his enduring partnership with his brother, Artie Traum, have left an indelible mark. Through their performances at iconic venues like the Newport Folk Festival and the creation of five albums, Happy Traum’s work stands as a testament to his passion for music and his lasting influence on the folk music scene.