Jay Ungar

About

Composer and musician known for his work in the folk genre. He played with the Putnam County Band and with Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys.

Before Fame

He began his career in the Greenwich Village music scene of the 1960s.

Trivia

He frequently collaborated with singer and songwriter David Bromberg.

Family Life

He was born in New York City to a Jewish family of Eastern European descent. He married fellow folk musician Molly Mason in 1991.

Associated With

He became famous for "Ashokan Farewell," a melancholy song that he composed as the theme song for Ken Burns' 1990 Civil War documentary.