The Life, Times & Songs of a Grassroots Activist
JACKIE ALPER was legend around the Capital Region folk music world, a familiar sight at folk concerts and activist events in the Capital Region recognized for her shirt covered with message buttons. The host of WRPI's popular "Mostly Folk," long-running Sunday afternoon radio show, her on-air support of folk venues helped make us one of America’s largest and most vibrant folk communities. Her massive music collection stretched back many decades, and on air she played a wide range of genres. Contemporary and traditional folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, comedy, swing, Celtic, Gospel - you name it, were anchored by songs by such great progressive musicians (and old friends) Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Paul Robeson, Len Chandler, Bernice Reagan. Often you could hear her interview one of them on the air. Jackie was a force for good, a believer in speaking out, fun, humor and community; she was blunt about the need for cultural change; and just plain showed up. She believed in America and was a role model for all of us.
If Jackie were still here with us, she'd be fighting fiercely for voting rights, stricter gun control, environmental degradation, laborers and unions; marching against current wars, the kidnapping of Americans, environmental degradation, stripping our government workforce, tariffs, taking Greenland, endangering our relations with Canada. You'd find her weekly in all kinds of weather, standing in Schenectady among demonstrators openly calling for peace and demanding support for Ukraine. She'd be a charter member of 'Indivisible' and would faithfully show up for every rally and speak at meetings or from our stage about the latest headline.
A fine contralto, she once backed Paul Robeson in concert, and co-wrote a song recorded by Nina Simone. She was part of a circle of close - famous and infamous musical activists from the 1930s on (see above). Here in the Capital Region, she was a much-loved figure in the activist community, putting seemingly relentless energy toward a host of regional organizations, groups dedicated to music for social change. On-air and off, she worked to support The Eighth Step, Old Songs, Caffe Lena, Pick'n & Sing'n Gatherin’, sloop Clearwater and more.
Ms. Music: the Jackie Alper Story is a musical play written and directed by Andy Spence (with Sarah Dillon), founder & director emeritus of Old Songs. The show title came from Ronnie Gilbert remarks onstage at Jackie’s retirement concert from WRPI-fm in the 1990s - though she would revive the show for another year. Ms. Music was extensively researched thanks to input from family, close friends, co-workers at WRPI-fm, and more. Come hear Jackie’s tale and the music that animated her over the years, sung by regional musicians who will always love and admire her.
Performers, alphabetically, all on vocals: Kate Blain (guitar), Greg Giorgio, Howard Jack (guitar), Ruth Pelham, Charlie Rhynhart (guitar), Toby Stover (piano)), Alan Thompson (piano), George Wilson (fiddle, banjo).