Adam Traum was raised Woodstock, N.Y., in a musical family, which shaped his musical world view. His father Happy Traum, a veteran of the Greenwich Village folk scene turned Adam on to blues, bluegrass and folk styles while his irreverent teenaged spirit reveled in blues-driven rock. In his early twenties Adam got bit by the Americana bug and he became consumed by that music. His influences include Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Mississippi John Hurt and Rev. Gary Davis to name a few. He both performs and teaches throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

He also has instructional DVD guitar, mandolin and ukulele lessons on Homespun Music Instruction. Traum's release "Just Like Home" (2012), is an all acoustic collection of songs that have an intimate feel and pays tribute to his musical heritage. He released the "One-takes" (2016) with the Mosey Boys with David Thom and Jack Hines. Adam's solo acoustic album "Legacy" (2021) celebrates his's musical heritage and represents his most personal collection of songs since he began recording. He has been busy putting the finishing touches on Wolf Run's debut release due out in the Spring on 2024!

Factoids:

In high school, Adam and a friend were jamming when Bob Dylan invited himself into their jam, real thrill for both teens. Dylan was visiting friends in the old neighborhood, and stopped by his parent's house. Traum offered up his guitar and was ready to pick up the Hondo II bass, but Dylan said he wanted to play the bass. At the end of the jam he said "Hey, you guys are pretty good."

John Sebastian loaned Adam his first electric guitars to try out and later played on his CD "Just Like Home."

As a ten year-old piano player (Traum's first instrument), his first gig was opening for Levon Helm and the RCO All Stars at his barn with kids of Levon, Paul Butterfield, and Ronnie Hawkins. A serious first opening gig!

Before becoming a full-time musician, Adam Traum was a photojournalist for newspapers on both East and West Coasts from 1990-2006. He shot the 1992 Middle East Peace signing at the White House, Jackie O's funeral, pro sports and the 1996 US Olympics as well as a ton of other subjects. His visual sensibility carries over into his songwriting by painting a picture with his lyrics and grooves that convey a sense of time and place. You can see his pictures at adamtraumguitar.com.

Adam is a black belt in Taekwondo.