Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 28, 1892 in Louisville, KY

Death

:

March 1, 1980 in Lexington, KY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

John Jacob Niles was an American composer, singer, and collector of folk songs. He was born on April 28, 1892, in Louisville, Kentucky, to a family of musicians. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a pianist and singer. Niles showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Niles attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano, voice, and composition. He also began collecting folk songs during this time, traveling throughout the Appalachian Mountains and recording the music of the people who lived there. This experience would have a profound impact on his music and would shape his career as a composer and performer. In 1917, Niles enlisted in the United States Army and served in France during World War I. He continued to collect folk songs during his time in the military, and he wrote several songs inspired by his experiences in the war. After the war, Niles returned to the United States and began performing his music in concerts and recitals. Niles' music was heavily influenced by the folk songs he had collected, and he often incorporated elements of these songs into his compositions. His most famous work, "Go 'Way From My Window," is based on a traditional English folk song that he had collected during his travels. The song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Joan Baez and Judy Collins, and has become a staple of the American folk music canon. In addition to his compositions, Niles was also known for his powerful and emotive singing voice. He often performed his own songs in concerts and recitals, and his performances were known for their intensity and emotional depth. Niles' voice was particularly well-suited to the traditional ballads and folk songs that he had collected, and his performances of these songs were often described as haunting and otherworldly. Throughout his career, Niles continued to collect folk songs and incorporate them into his music. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, recording the music of the people he met and incorporating these songs into his own compositions. He also wrote several books about his experiences collecting folk songs, including "The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles" and "The Songs of John Jacob Niles." Niles' music and his contributions to the American folk music tradition have had a lasting impact on the world of music. His songs have been recorded by countless artists, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary folk musicians. Niles died on March 1, 1980, but his legacy as a composer, performer, and collector of folk songs lives on.

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