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Odetta

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Odetta grew up in Los Angeles and was a music student at Los Angeles City College. Her first job as a folksinger was in San Francisco and in 1953 she appeared at the Blue Angel in New York where Harry Belafonte and Pete Seeger helped introduce her to larger audiences. Belafonte included her in a major television special in 1959 which made her name nationally known. She has been a featured performer at festivals all over the country, but especially at the Newport Folk Festivals, and in her own solo concerts at Carnegie Hall. Her albums have been best sellers ever since her first in 1954.

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Watch Past Performances

Odetta 1/11/04: Odetta

Odetta, American legend of blues, folk, and protest songs, performed for the historic 1963 civil rights march on Washington, and for President Kennedy on the televised “Dinner with the President.” She has recorded some 30 albums since 1958. Presented in cooperation with the Choral Arts Society of Washington.

Odetta

Odetta, American legend of blues, folk, and protest songs, performed for the historic 1963 civil rights march on Washington, and for President Kennedy on the televised “Dinner with the President.” She has recorded some 30 albums since 1958. Presented in cooperation with the Choral Arts Society of Washington.
Juneteenth Independence Day 2001 6/19/01: Juneteenth Independence Day 2001

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Vance Gilbert, folk singer Odetta, and the Howard University Choir team up for an evening of folk music and spirituals to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day, commemorating the end of slavery in America.

Juneteenth Independence Day 2001

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Vance Gilbert, folk singer Odetta, and the Howard University Choir team up for an evening of folk music and spirituals to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day, commemorating the end of slavery in America.

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