Alan Lomax was an American ethnomusicologist, folklorist, and musicologist, born on January 15, 1915. He is best known for his extensive field recordings of traditional music from around the world, which helped preserve many cultural music forms. Lomax's work focused on the relationship between music and culture, and he believed that music was a vital expression of human experience. Throughout his career, Lomax traveled extensively, collecting songs and stories from various communities. He collaborated with notable figures such as Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly, and his recordings contributed significantly to the understanding of American folk music. Lomax's legacy continues to influence musicians and scholars today.