Tribute to Jackie Alper, Her Relentless Fight for Social Justice, and the Music That Inspired Her

…a folk musical written & directed by Andy Spence & Sarah Dillon

CAST: alphabetically: Kate Blain (vocals), Greg Giorgio (narration, vocals), Howard Jack (bass, vocals), Ruth Pelham (narration, vocals), Mike Slik (dobro, steel guitar, vocals), Charlie Rhynhart (guitar, bass, vocals), Toby Stover (keyboard, percussion, vocals), Alan Thompson (piano, vocals), George Wilson (fiddle, banjo, 12-string guitar, vocals).  

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 or vest covered with message buttons. The host of "Mostly Folk," WRPI-fm’s long-running Sunday afternoon radio show, her on-air support of folk venues, festivals and artists helped make us one of the largest and most vibrant folk communities in America.

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 (old friends and cohorts to Jackie) as Paul Robeson, Len Chandler, Bernice Reagan, U. Utah Phillips. Often you could hear her interview one of them on the air. Jackie was a charming force for good, a believer in speaking out, fun, humor and community, music for social change; and she just plain showed up. She believed in America and was a role model for all of us.

This tribute features the songs of the groups Jackie sang with over the years: the Almanac Singers (1930s-40s); anthems of the labor movement by Seeger, Guthrie, Sis Cunningham, Bess Lomax; and songs of the Priority Ramblers, a group that coincided with Jackie’s work with noted folklorist Alan Lomax at the Office of War Information in Washington, DC.

After WWII, she worked in NYC for People’s Songs, an organization working to unify musicians Leadbelly, Guthrie, Seeger and others with political activists, labor organizers and theatrical artists, toward social change through music and the arts.

A fine contralto, Jackie once backed Paul Robeson in concert, and co-wrote a song with Nina Simone. She was part of a tight circle of close - famous and infamous - musical activists from the 1940s on (see above) who believed music can hasten social change. Living in Schenectady, she was a much-loved figure in the activist community, putting seemingly relentless energy toward a host of regional organizations, groups and artists dedicated to music and social change. On-air and off, she loved and supported The Eighth Step, Old Songs, Caffe Lena, Pick'n & Sing'n Gatherin’, sloop Clearwater and more.

Ms. Music: the Jackie Alper Story is a folk musical - narration and song - written and directed by Old Songs founder & director emeritus Andy Spence & Sarah Dillon. The show title came from folk legend Ronnie Gilbert’s remarks onstage at Jackie’s 1993 Eighth Step retirement concert from WRPI-fm’ Mostly Folk” (though Jackie would later return to co-host the show for another year). Ms. Music was extensively researched thanks to input from family, close friends, co-workers at WRPI-fm, an interview with Jackie by Ruth Pelham, and more.

Come hear Jackie’s fascinating tale and the music that animated her over the years, sung by regional musicians who will always love and admire her.