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American folk musician, composer, and fiddler, renowned for his evocative waltz "Ashokan Farewell". Born in New York City, Jay Ungar emerged as a pivotal figure in the American folk revival. He studied violin classically but found his true passion in traditional folk and roots music. In 1971, he co-founded the band Fiddle Fever. He is best known for composing "Ashokan Farewell," which gained widespread fame as the musical centerpiece of Ken Burns' documentary "The Civil War." Ungar, alongside his wife Molly Mason, is a co-founder of the Ashokan Center (formerly Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camps) in New York's Catskill Mountains, dedicated to teaching and preserving folk music and dance traditions. He continues to perform, teach, and compose actively.

• Composed "Ashokan Farewell" in 1982 as a lament for the end of the Ashokan music camps. Though written in the 20th century, its profoundly nostalgic sound led many viewers of "The Civil War" documentary to believe it was an authentic 19th-century piece.
• Co-founded the Ashokan Music & Dance Camps (now the Ashokan Center) with his wife, Molly Mason, in 1980. The camps became a legendary gathering place for musicians and dancers, fostering community and passing on traditional skills.
• Despite the immense popularity of "Ashokan Farewell," Ungar maintained a deep commitment to teaching and community music-making through the Ashokan Center and performances, rather than pursuing mainstream commercial success.