Gene Bluestein

Gene Bluestein was a professor of American Literature and Folklore at California State University Fresno for 30 years. In 1974 he received the Distinguished Lecturer Award, and four years later he was invited to be Distinguished Visiting Professor of American Studies at his Alma Mater, Brooklyn College. He received Fulbright-Hays appointments to teach in Finland, Japan, and also taught in China for a year.

Gene was a perfoming musician of American and International folk music using five string banjo, guitar, and many other folk instruments. He did lecture/concerts throughout the United States, especially, on the West Coast, and many tv series. He has numerous recordings both alone and with his children who performed with him here and abroad. Through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Gene was able to bring noted regional folk musicians to teach at CSUF and also do programs throughout the Fresno Unified School District and the County. His interest in music goes back to his family roots which included world famous cantors.

Gene is also the author of four books, numerous academic articles, and years of book reviews for The Progressive magazine.

He loved teaching. He loved music, He loved his family and many friends throughout the world.