This collection, which dates from 1926-1986, documents the output of Moses Asch through the various record labels he founded and co-founded, and includes some of his personal papers. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, business records, correspondence, photographs, and film.
Scope and Contents:
The Moses and Frances Asch Collection measures 841 cubic feet and dates from 1926-1987, with some contemporary, relevant correspondence, clippings, and ephemera added after 1987.
Most of the collection consists of audio recordings (commercial 78 rpm and long-playing records, open reel tapes, acetate discs, and test pressings), correspondence with recording artists and producers, artwork, photographs, ephemera, clippings, record production materials, writings, and business papers relating to Folkways Records. Materials relating to Folkways Records can be found primarily in the Correspondence, Folkways Production, Business Records, Photographs, Artwork, Sound Recordings, and Film series.
The collection also contains some biographical materials and personal correspondence, including materials related to Asch's first business, Radio Laboratories, located in the Biographical Materials series. Correspondence, ephemera, photographs, record production materials, business papers, and recordings relating to Asch's record labels before Folkways Records (Asch Recordings, Disc Company of America, Cub Records) are located in the Early Label Materials series as well as the Audio Recordings and Photographs series.
Arrangement note:
The collection is arranged in 10 series:
Series 1: Correspondence, 1942-1987
Series 2: Folkways Production, 1946-1987
Series 3: Business Records, 1940-1987
Series 4: Woody Guthrie papers, 1927-1985
Series 5: Early Label Materials, 1940-1949
Series 6: Biographical Materials, 1926-1987
Series 7: Photographs
Series 8: Artwork
Series 9: Audio Recordings
Series 10: Film
At this time, the collection is partially processed. Please contact rinzlerarchives@si.edu for more information.
Biographical/Historical note:
The son of Yiddish writer Sholem Asch, Moses Asch was born in Poland in 1905. His childhood was spent in Poland, France, Germany, and New York. While young, Asch developed an interest in radio electronics, which ultimately lead him to his life's work, recording the music and sounds of the world. He established several record labels in succession, sometimes partnering with other record companies. Two of his fist record companies, Asch Recordings and DISC Co. of America, went bankrupt. They were followed by his best-known label, Folkways Records, which was founded in 1948 with Marian Distler (1919-1964). He was still working on Folkways recordings when he died in 1986.
Folkways Records sought to document the entire world of sound. The 2,168 titles Asch released on Folkways include traditional and contemporary music from around the world, spoken word in many languages, and documentary recordings of individuals, communities, and current events. Asch's business practices revolved around the commitment to keep every recording issued by Folkways in print, despite low sales. Asch stayed afloat by cutting costs where he could (such as color printing) and offering a high-quality product, meticulously recorded and accompanied by extensive liner notes. In doing this, he could charge a slightly higher price than other commercial outfits. Despite a tenuous relationship with financial solvency, Folkways grew to be not only one of the most important independent record companies in the United States in the 20th century, but also one of the largest and most influential record companies in the world.
Moses Asch's record labels featured famous and lesser known American writers, poets, documentarians, ethnographers, and grass roots musicians on commercial recordings. American folk icon Woody Guthrie recorded on the Asch, Disc, and Folkways labels, and the Asch Collection includes some of his correspondence, lyrics, drawings, and writings. The collection also includes correspondence with other notable musicians and artists such as John Cage, Langston Hughes, Margaret Walker, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Alan Lomax, Henry Cowell, and Kenneth Patchen. Also in the collection are ethnographic field notes and photographs by as well as correspondence with Béla Barók, Sidney Robertson Cowell, Harold Courlander, Helen Creighton, Laura Boulton, and Samuel Charters. Asch hired various prominent artists and graphic designers including David Stone Martin, Ben Shahn, John Carlis, and Ronald Clyne to create album cover art for his recordings. Much of the original art and designs for these covers can be found in the Asch Collection.
Asch's output of recordings on various labels, including published recordings, open reel master tapes, outtakes, and acetate disks, in addition to his business papers, correspondence, photographs, and other files were acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987. The collection came to the Smithsonian with the understanding that all 2168 titles under the Folkways label would be kept available in perpetuity.
Provenance:
Ralph Rinzler arranged the Smithsonian's acquisition of the Moses and Frances Asch Collection in 1987, beginning with Asch before his death in 1986 and continuing with extensive discussions between Rinzler and the Asch family. Since its acquisition, archivist Jeff Place and others have added contemporary, relevant correspondence with Folkways artists and related individuals.
Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or (202) 633-7322 for additional information.
Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Thank you note for 5 string banjo performance of American folk dance music. (1 item)
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Paul Cadwell Banjo Collection, 1883-1980, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
JAC8: KLEIN, UKRAINIAN AND POLISH EASTER EGG DECORATION; SAMIHA ABUSALAH, PALESTINIAN EMBROIDERY, MOSLEM CALLIGRAPHY; MOHSIN ELGABRI, ARAB YEMENI MOSLEM FOLK DANCE , MUSIC, DRAMA, POETRY MUCH MORE DETAIL IN SOUND LOG IN FW FILE
Track Information:
101 Ukranian Easter Egg Decoration / Arnold, Jr. Klein.
Recorded in: Michigan, United States, October 9, 1986.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
JAC11: FRANK POMA, CONT.; AMNAH BARAKA, PALESTINIAN MOSLEM DRESSMAKER AND EMBROIDERER; MOHSIN ELGABRI, DISCUSSES YEMENI FOLK DANCE, MUSIC AND DRAMA MUCH MORE DETAIL IN SOUND LOG IN FW FILE
Track Information:
101 Sicilian Cooking / Frank Poma.
102 Dressmaking,Embroidery / Amnah Baraka.
103 Yemeni Group / Mohsin Elgabri.
Local Numbers:
FP-1987-CT-0062
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Michigan, United States, October 16, 1986.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
101 Folk Dance Music from Makran, Baluchistan / Charli Malang, Fateh Mohammad, Mohammad Nazir. Muggurman,Purkash,Shehnai. Baluchi language.
102 Festival Music from Punjab / Ghulam Mohammed, Mohammad Mansha, Sain Mushtag. Shehnai,Dholi,Chimta.
General note:
DPA number 77.413.23
Local Numbers:
FP-1976-7RR-1591
General:
77.413.23
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 30, 1976.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
101 Folk Song called Jugni from Punjab (Continued from Previous tape) / Mohammad Mansha, Sain Mushtag. Chimta,Dholi. Panjabi language.
102 Ho Jamalo Folk Dance Music from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Allan Faqir, Faqir Abdul Ghafoor. Dholi,Khartal (Clappers). Sindhi language.
103 Bhangra Dance Music from Punjab / Mohammad Mansha, Sain Mushtag, Ghulam Mohammed. Chimta,Dholi,Shehnai.
General note:
DPA number 77.413.25
Local Numbers:
FP-1976-7RR-1593
General:
77.413.25
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 31, 1976.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
101 Folk Tune from Punjab, A Tota (Shehnai) and Dhol Perfrormance / Ghulam Mohammed, Mohammad Mansha. Dholi,Shehnai.
102 Folk Tune from Punjab, A Tota (Shehnai) and Dhol Perfrormance / Ghulam Mohammed, Mohammad Mansha. Dholi,Shehnai.
103 A Folk Tune from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam,Khanjari (Drum).
104 Ho Jamalo Folk Dance Music from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam,Khanjari (Drum).
105 A Folk Tune from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam,Khanjari (Drum).
General note:
DPA number 77.413.27
Local Numbers:
FP-1976-7RR-1595
General:
77.413.27
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 31, 1976.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
101 Mystic Folksong called Jugni from Punjab / Mohammad Mansha, Sain Mushtag. Chimta,Dholi. Panjabi language.
103 Folk Tune in Rag Tilang from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam,Khanjari (Drum).
102 Short Demonstrations of Alghoza, Dhol and Gharra / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam.
104 Ho Jamalo Folk Dance Music from Sindh / Mohammad Mansha, Khameesu Khan, Mitha Khan ZardaÕoriÕo. Dholi,Alg-oj-a,Ghatam,Khanjari (Drum).
105 Folk Dance Song called Umba from Makran, Baluchistan / Faiz Mohamad Baluch, Ghulam Haidar Kambrani. Dhanbura. Baluchi language.
General note:
DPA number 77.413.35
Local Numbers:
FP-1976-7RR-1603
General:
77.413.35
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 31, 1976.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
