Sweet Relief Musicians Fund announces an upcoming benefit concert, celebrating the legacy of legendary folk singer Joan Baez, on February 8, at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. Confirmed performers include Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Hozier, Rosanne Cash, Margo Price, Bonnie Raitt, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tom Morello, Joe Henry, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal with surprise guests and additional performers.
One of the last authentic links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, two-time GRAMMY-winner Ramblin' Jack Elliott is considered one of the country's legendary foundations of folk music. Woody Guthrie had the greatest influence on Elliott. Guthrie's son, Arlo, said that because of Woody's illness and early death, Arlo never really got to know him, but learned his father's songs and performing style from Elliott and, according to Arlo, Woody Guthrie once said that Jack Elliot "Sounds more like me than I do".
Among four GRAMMY nominations, Ramblin' Jack Elliott won his first GRAMMY Award in 1996 for South Coast in the Best Traditional Folk Album category. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded Jack the National Medal of the Arts, proclaiming, "In giving new life to our most valuable musical traditions, Ramblin' Jack has himself become an American treasure. In 2000, Jack's daughter, filmmaker Aiyana Elliott produced and directed The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack, her take on Jack's life and their fragile relationship, winning a Special Jury Prize from the Sundance Film Festival.
One of the last authentic links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, two-time GRAMMY-winner Ramblin' Jack Elliott is considered one of the country's legendary foundations of folk music. Long before every kid in America wanted to play guitar — before Elvis, Dylan, the Beatles, or Led Zeppelin — Ramblin' Jack had picked it up and was passing it along. From Johnny Cash to Tom Waits, Beck to Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder to Bruce Springsteen, the Grateful Dead to The Rolling Stones, all pay homage to Ramblin' Jack Elliott.
