Everyone at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings mourns the loss of Toshi Seeger, who passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Toshi Seeger and her husband Pete were closely involved in the 1987 acquisition of Folkways Records, & Service Corp., and both served on the Smithsonian Folkways Advisory Board for several years. Toshi and Pete made a marvelous combination: Pete with his big visions and ideals, and Toshi with her crystal-clear pragmatism. She was always able to explain why this or that would or wouldn't work, from nuts and bolts about day-to-day operations and distributors, to how the United States' national museum could best operate a nonprofit record label. Were you to visit the Clearwater Festival in New York State, Toshi's stamp could be felt everywhere. From early morning to late at night, she could be seen be riding around the site, taking care of the ten thousand details involved in such an endeavor. From our perspective, Toshi was the organizational force behind all of her husband Pete’s accomplishments. We will miss her very much.

Sincerely,

Everyone at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

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