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| administration, “Bluestein is teaching music in the English Department!” Gene’s reaction? “Go ahead and sue me.” The music stayed. Later, Gene would learn that in his personnel file, an evaluator made a comment – “Bluestein will thrive in any atmosphere where freedom is tolerated.” It was the 1960s, an America itself was going through great changes. Gene was always on the front lines of those changes, along with his wife Ellie and their four children; Joel, Evo, Jemmy, and Frayda. In 1964, Gene accepted his first Fulbright scholarship and taught at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He taught and performed at different venues, including television audiences, of which Gene would bring his children on stage to assist him in a song or two. Family was extremely important to Gene and Ellie Bluestein. When it became time for their children to learn an instrument, Ellie would ask, “what kind of instrument would you like to play?” This unique parental method led the four children eagerly into the world of music. Back in the United States, Gene continued his work at Fresno State. He was one of the original founders and organizers of the Fresno Folklore Society, an organization that continues today and partners with the California Autoharp Gathering. Gene was very innovative and creative in bringing grants into the University for artists to spend a semester teaching college students and performing at local elementary schools. During all this time, his children were all crafting their own love into folk music. In 1974, the Bluesteins went to Paris. Their family band became known as “Les Bluesteins” and quickly established a great reputation in the Parisian folk clubs. Evo and Jemmy also became street performers, and ended up earning a good sum of money. It was a special time in the family’s lives. Their reputation continued when they returned to Fresno. “Sowin’ on the Mountain” became their first album they recorded together. Evo’s and Jemmy’s first group, the Roundtown Boys, also formed old-time and folk music. Their solo album and some of the Bluestein Family albums sometimes appears on Ebay. The Bluestein Family Band toured in California and throughout the United States. They performed in Israel, China, and Japan. They were frequent guests at the “Freight & Salvage”, a folk club in Berkeley. They were staff members at festivals and events all over the country. When the four children were grown and developing their own interests, they would meet together at least once per year for an “Annual Farewell Reunion Concert.” Gene would use the concerts to teach the understanding and relevance of the songs to our culture. Finally, after waiting for Gene to finish another “lengthy” description, the children adopted the “one sentence rule.” It is not known if Gene consistently adhered to it! Gene believed that there was a significance and relationship behind everything in American culture. The kids, upon hearing their father describe another event, in long detail, would ask him, “How do you know that?” “That’s my job,” said Gene. Sometimes, an audience member would ask Gene, “How did you get your kids to play musical instruments?” “That was easy,” said Gene, “I just told them they couldn’t!” The California Autoharp Gathering is pleased and proud to bring the Bluestein Family together again for another “Annual Farewell Reunion” concert. The have made a “significant” contribution to folk music and to American culture. It is a performance that we can label as “don’t miss.” Gene Bluestein Tribute Website: zimmer.csufresno.edu/~geneb |
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