Harry Tuft

Harry Tuft grew up singing and playing a series of instruments — from the piano to the clarinet, ukulele, baritone uke, and, in college, a six-string guitar.

Philadelphia's lively folk scene provided the setting for Harry's first ventures into public singing. From there, friendships with Dick Weissman and Roger Abrahams fostered a growing interest in Anglo-American folk music.

In 1960, needing a break from his studies (preparing for an architectural career), Harry traveled out to the Rocky Mountains for some skiing. He found a job at "The Holy Cat" in Georgetown, as a dishwasher, busboy, waiter, bartender, janitor, and — if there was a lull in the work at night — he could sing in the bar.

There he met Hal Neustaedter — owner of "The Exodus," a folk club in Denver — who suggested that he look into starting a folklore center in Denver. With further encouragement from Izzy Young, owner of the first and (then) only Folklore Center, in New York's Greenwich Village, Harry opened the Denver Folklore Center in March 1962.

Putting his energies into the store over the years, Harry has found time for teaching and occasional singing, as time allows.

In 1972, Harry and friends Steve Abbott and Jack Stanesco formed Grubstake — originally named "This Band Is Starving." Their albums include "What You Do With What You Got" and "Warts and All."

In his 1976 album "Across the Blue Mountains," Harry is ably joined by old friends Dick Weissman, Jay Ungar, Ed Trickett, Artie Traum and Laraine Grady Traum.