adamtraumguitar

Welcome

Adam Traum is an interpreter of traditional roots music and draws on those styles in his songwriting as well. He cross-pollinates Americana genres, blending folk, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly and country-blues music. When Traum performs he brings a warmth to the stage and puts on a well-polished show, whether he is playing as a solo artist at an intimate house concert or for a festival crowd backed by his potent band.
 

Adam’s influences include Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Mississippi John Hurt and Rev. Gary Davis, to name a few. Traum gigs and teaches throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. He has two instructional DVD guitar lessons on Homespun Tapes. His CD, "Meant To Be" (2006), celebrates the diversity in his songwriting, which incorporates story-driven songs, humor and catchy guitar riffs. Traum's newest release, "Just Like Home" (2012), is an all-acoustic collection of songs with an intimate feel, paying tribute to his musical heritage.
 

I am excited to be starting off the year with a bang! I have some new videos out at my YouTube channel where I added a few videos with Colin Gilmore. I also have some Straw Wattles videos up if you want to check those out. 

Here is a video that was shot on tour with Colin Gilmore this past December. We played "Legacy," a song I wrote about growing up and passing along my love of music. I have some great gigs coming up include three with my dad, Happy Traum in both Southern and Northern California, as well as some local Bay Area shows. Step on in and enjoy the music.


Date Event Location
The Straw Wattles Live at the HopMonk Sonoma Hopmonk Tavern, Sonoma, Sonoma, California Hopmonk Tavern, Sonoma, Sonoma, California
Adam Traum Live at the HopMonk Novato from 1-4pm Hopmonk Tavern Novato, Novato, California Hopmonk Tavern Novato, Novato, California
Private Event (Wedding) Sonoma CA Sonoma CA
Happy and Adam Traum with Colin Gilmore (with special guest to be announced) The Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NY The Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NY
Adam Traum, Colin Gilmore with the Kennedys at the Saint, Asbury Park, NJ The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
Adam Traum and Colin Gilmore at the Colony in Woodstock, NY The Colony, Woodstock, NY 12498 The Colony, Woodstock, NY 12498
Adam Traum and Colin Gilmore at the Bijou Theatre, Bridgeport, CT The Bijou Theatre, Bridgeport, CT The Bijou Theatre, Bridgeport, CT
Adam Traum and Colin Gilmore with Pete and Maura Kennedy at the Jalpoy Theatre in Brooklyn Jalolpy Theatre, Brooklyn, NY Jalolpy Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
Adam Traum and Colin Gilmore with Pete and Maura Kennedy at Sandywoods Farm Sandwoods Farm, Tiverton Rhode Island Sandwoods Farm, Tiverton Rhode Island
The Straw Wattles at the HopMonk Tavern Sonoma Hopmonk Tavern, Sonoma, Sonoma, California Hopmonk Tavern, Sonoma, Sonoma, California
Adam Traum at Passagio Winery Anniversary Days Passagio Tasting Room, Sonoma, California Passagio Tasting Room, Sonoma, California
Private event Sonoma Sonoma
 —  — Happy and Adam Traum at FreshGrass FreshGrass Music Festival @ MassMoCA, North Adams, Mass FreshGrass Music Festival @ MassMoCA, North Adams, Mass
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My MerleFest set with Pete Seeger 

When I was about 19 or 20 years old, I was  at MerleFest in Wilksboro, North Carolina, helping my parents man the Homespun Tapes booth. At the time it was a relatively small festival with mostly folk, bluegrass and old-time music in honor of the great Merle Watson.

Pete Seeger was playing and asked me to join him for a set on one of the stages. He also invited me to lead a song. I was so nervous and couldn't think of what to play. I was a rocker and electric blues player at the time and didn't have a traditional or folk repertoire. My dad said that I should just play what I feel comfortable with and so I worked up the nerve to play "Little Wing" by Hendrix on my little Takamine 3/4 sized acoustic guitar.

Pete was so gracious and after my song said it was "unfair that someone so young could be so good." I was honored and humbled to play a set with Pete and will remember that day clearly.

When I heard of Pete Seeger's passing I was saddened that our world lost one of the best people to ever walk the earth. RIP Pete Seeger! We'll miss you.

Ghost Jam Session 

I had the pleasure of playing at the Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek, California with Jack Hines on bass a few weeks ago. It was  great show in a funky old theater in gold country outside of Sacramento in Amador County. We had a great show, but the magic really happened after the gig when the apartment they put us up in gave us access to the theater after hours. 

The Sutter Creek Theatre is supposed to be haunted and after we relaxed for a while and had a few cocktails to wind down from the show we picked up our instruments and had a really inspired jam session. Check out some of the sounds we recorded on a small hand-held recorder placed in the room. Follow the link and enjoy the song and see if you hear any sounds from the ghosts listening.

https://soundcloud.com/adamtraummusic/wide-river-to-cross-from-the

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