When folk music speaks: Ben Hunter at TEDxRainier

Folk music is about storytelling. Stories that speak to who we are. Stories about nature, friendships, relationships, love, legends. Stories that define us a community. Ben Hunter, folk musician and community organizer plays his stories through music and talks about the communal role of folks music as a means to fight the growing trend of human disconnection.

Benjamin graduated from Whitman College with a BA in music. With a passion for the folk culture, he has positioned his efforts around initiatives that drive that folk infrastructure. Raised in a global landscape, Ben's teaching style embraces the diversity found in SE Seattle and he hopes to channel that combination of culture and tradition into his own style. A professional violinist/fiddler, Ben plays locally and nationally in genres of bluegrass, blues, gypsy jazz, classical, and various world styles.

In 2011, he founded Community Arts Create (CAC), a Seattle based not-for-profit that uses the arts as a vehicle for community development and engagement. Ben founded CAC with the idea that art has an incredible ability to guide positive community development. CAC strives to build community through self-discovery and shared experience. It works to enhance a richer way of life by creating harmony through creative expression within Seattle's very diverse culture. Simply put, CAC partners with the community to create cultural competency through art of all forms. "Building community through the arts one experience at a time."

This talk was given November 9, 2013 in Seattle at TEDxRainier, a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences.

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[sandramorey]

There are ballads and stories in every culture and they are all beautiful. No one country has a lock on traditional folk music. I love them all & I thank YouTube for providing such a great platform.

[Aprilfool]

This runs through my veins like a swift Appalachian stream. It calms my soul to my core and takes me to a happier place in time where things were simpler.

I will never leave these mountains. There ain't no home like Appalachia

[JeffLarkin]

This man knows how to put soul into his music! He's a great speaker too.

[folksongpreacher]

This is beautiful!!! Could not have said it better. Capturing the heart of folk music is capturing the human story and telling them

[bchill]

Performance
0:01 - 2:48 Blues
6:32 - 9:32 Ashokan Farewell, Blues
12:55 - 4:40 Sail Away Ladies
18:04 - 19:19 (old time)

[TheCissero]

German Swede Norway and Ireland had great Folk Music., ballads folk arts. stories and dancing very spiritual.

[nickg]

What theater is this?!?! It's gorgeous.

[vincentNJTransit]

Song names? Where can I find similar sheet music?

[ThymeMcKernan]

Sir you are very fhineeee like better than aged wine

[Tomaniac]

IM TRYING TO FIND TRADITIONAL MUSIC NOT A FOLK! THATS REDICIULOS!

[Santiino]

Here after hearing Taylors beautiful Indie Folk Album Folklore🧡

[Ploutvonozec]

Great player, terrible speech. TELLING STORIES! pause WE DO IT! pause RIGHT! pause WE TELL THE STORIES! pause THERE IS A STORY! pause HEAD DOWN! Do it, JUST DO IT!

[ФрансоэльЛибер]

не прячется от слов за звуки,
кои травили б зудом слух ...
и нет при сём толпёжной скуки,
что втайне склонна к ловле мух !