Arthur Roy Traum was an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer born on April 3, 1943, in the Bronx. He achieved professional recognition for a musical career characterized by folk and jazz and for being a stalwart of the Greenwich Village folk music scene. Traum achieved professional recognition for a career that began after he joined the Greenwich Village scene in the late 1950s and co-wrote songs for the debut film Greetings (1968). His recording career began with the debut studio recording Happy & Artie Traum (1970) released on the label Capitol Records as a duo with his brother Happy Traum. The duo achieved professional recognition for performing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1969 on stage with the musician James Taylor and the musician Joni Mitchell. Traum achieved professional recognition for the studio recording Life on Earth (1977) released on the label Rounder Records. His discography included the studio recording Cayenne (1986) and the studio recording Letters From Joubée (1993). The latter recording achieved professional recognition for reaching Number 1 on the Smooth Jazz Radio Charts in 1994. Traum achieved professional recognition for the studio recording Meetings With Remarkable Friends (1999) receiving the Best Acoustic Instrumental Album award from the NAV. His work appeared on more than 35 albums and his songs were featured on networks including PBS, BBC, and CBS. He achieved professional recognition for touring in Japan and Europe. Traum died of ocular cancer on July 20, 2008, in Bearsville.
