Anthony Seeger

The grandson of influential composer and ethnomusicologist Charles Seeger and the nephew of folk musicians Pete and Mike Seeger, Anthony Seeger has been a staunch supporter of world music. As curator of the collection and director of Smithsonian/Folkways, Seeger was executive producer and editor of nearly 220 albums released by the label between 1989 and July 2000. The president of the Society of Ethnomusicology from 1991 until 1993 and the International Council of Traditional Music from 1997 until 1999, Seeger spoke frequently at music conferences. Seeger's earliest work focused on the Suya Indians of Brazil. While working as a researcher and professor in the department of Ethnomusicology at Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro, between 1975 and 1982, he wrote three books including Why Suya Sing: A Musical Anthropology of an Amazonian People and established the first Masters program in ethnomusicology in Brazil at the Brazilian Conservatory of Music. Returning to the United States in 1983, Seeger accepted a position, at Indiana University, Bloomington, as professor of anthropology and director of the Archives of Traditional Music. Together with Louise Spear, he co-edited a catalog of the archives. Retiring in 1999, Seeger became the first recipient of the Anthony Seeger Distinguished Service award established by the label in his honor. Seeger remains active as an educator, teaching in UCLA's Department of Ethnomusicology, a part of the School of Arts and Architecture since January 2000. Seeger holds a Masters degree from Harvard University and a Doctorate from the University of Chicago. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide