Jenny Wells Vincent Recordings
Collection
Identifier: MSS-822-BC
Scope and Content
The collection contains 29 audio CDs and 1 folder of printed material. Recordings of Jenny Vincent's weekly radio program, Cántelo – Sing Along! aired on KKIT, Taos, 1962-1963, comprise the bulk of the collection. Accompanying herself on guitar, accordion, or piano, Ms. Vincent offered a worldwide range of folk songs, complete with introductions and commentary. In almost every program she also featured Hispano and Native music from the villages and pueblos of New Mexico, placing local traditions in the global context. Her commentaries offer a glimpse into current events and community concerns. The country was in the midst of the Cold War and the cultural revivals of the late 1960s and 1970s were yet to emerge. At a time when the Spanish language was forbidden in the classrooms of Taos county, Vincent brought it in the back door through folk music. Her political sympathies are apparent, with anti-facsist German songs, songs from the Spanish Civil War, and an occasional union song. She also shares songs sung at the Y-Camps and her own youth camp at San Cristóbal, NM. Her repertoire includes freedom songs, cowboy songs, and protest songs. She often mentioned seasonal activities such as cutting hay, making biscochitos, and announcing fund raisers.
The collection also includes assorted music, audio interviews with Jenny Vincent, and one folder of printed background materials, including several photographs.
The collection teaches about folklore, history, and Jenny Vincent's love for community and nation.
The collection is predominantly in English and Spanish.
Forms part of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music.
The collection also includes assorted music, audio interviews with Jenny Vincent, and one folder of printed background materials, including several photographs.
The collection teaches about folklore, history, and Jenny Vincent's love for community and nation.
The collection is predominantly in English and Spanish.
Forms part of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music.
Dates
- 1949-2007
- Majority of material found within 1962
Creator
- Vincent, Jenny Wells (Person)
Language of Materials
English Spanish
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography / History
Jenny Vincent, born in 1913, was raised in Minnesota with a background in classical music. She received her degree in piano and composition from Vassar College. Vincent discovered the internationalist music world in Chicago, where she performed with Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Malvina Reynolds, and Earl Robinson. She fell in love with traditional Nuevo Mexicano music when she moved to New Mexico in the late 1930s, where she ran the San Cristóbal Valley Ranch. The Ranch featured retreats and workshops for writers, artists, and activists, as well as a youth camp. The famed documentary film, "Salt of the Earth" was conceived and planned at the ranch.
Jenny Vincent's New Mexico musical debut was in the summer of 1947 at the invitation of Professor Joaquín Ortega and the University of New Mexico's School of Inter-American Affairs. Pete Seeger accompanied her in a program of world folk music specially featuring the Nuevo Mexicano tradition.
Jenny Vincent founded Taos Publications and Recordings, now called Cantemos Records, and has recorded regional musicians and singers for several decades. Among her recent recordings is a medley of Nuevo Mexicano instrumental pieces collected by WPA field workers in the 1930's.
Jenny Vincent's New Mexico musical debut was in the summer of 1947 at the invitation of Professor Joaquín Ortega and the University of New Mexico's School of Inter-American Affairs. Pete Seeger accompanied her in a program of world folk music specially featuring the Nuevo Mexicano tradition.
Jenny Vincent founded Taos Publications and Recordings, now called Cantemos Records, and has recorded regional musicians and singers for several decades. Among her recent recordings is a medley of Nuevo Mexicano instrumental pieces collected by WPA field workers in the 1930's.
Extent
1 box (.14 cu. ft.)
Abstract
The bulk of the collection consists of digital recordings of Jenny Vincent's weekly radio program, Cántelo – Sing Along! aired on KKIT, Taos, 1962-1963. The collection also includes assorted music, audio interviews with Jenny Vincent, and one folder of printed background materials, including several photographs. The collection teaches about folklore, history, and Jenny Vincent's love for community and nation.
Creator
- Vincent, Jenny Wells (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Jenny Wells Vincent Recordings, 1949-2007
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Theresa J. Córdova
- Date
- © 2009, © 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu