Elijah Wald Biography

Elijah Wald started playing guitar after seeing his first Pete Seeger concert at age seven. Since then he has gone on to travel around the world playing studying and reporting on all kinds of music. With an interdisciplinary PhD in ethnomusicology and sociolinguistics Wald has taught in the musicology department at UCLA and done original research on several categories of popular music. His work explores a broad spectrum of music within sociocultural contexts.
Wald's previous titles include Escaping the Delta a look at the life of blues legend Robert Johnson that explores his broad role in American culture and his influence on later blues and rock and Narcocorrido a journey into the Mexican ballads of drug smuggling and immigration that shows how these tales of illegality and danger hold significance from multiple political and cultural perspectives.
With the release of his new book Dylan Goes Electric! Wald travels around the world speaking on the significance of the day Dylan “went electric” at the Newport Folk Festival timed to coincide with the event’s fiftieth anniversary. His expertise in pop music and changing technologies ranging genres from early blues to the folk revival and the way women have come to rule pop music make Wald a diverse and memorable choice. Your audience will be informed and entertained as Wald incorporates live music and plays guitar during his presentation complimenting his remarkable knowledge base in a truly unique way!

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Elijah Wald's expertise is in high demand. To book Elijah Wald for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Elijah Wald's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Elijah Wald's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Elijah Wald for your next speaking engagement.