This special journal issue is designed to draw attention to the varied musical traditions of cultural groups living in New York State. Recent research by folklorists and musicologists also is examined. Articles include: (1) "Introduction: Folk and Traditional Music in New York State" (Ray Allen; Nancy Groce); (2) "African-American Sacred Quartet Singing in New York City" (Ray Allen); (3) "The Anglo-American Fiddle Tradition in New York State" (Simon Bronner); (4) "Survival of Greek Folk Music in New York (Sotirios Chianis); (5) "Writing While They're Singing: A Conversation About Longhouse Social Dance Songs" (Michael Sam Cronk); (6) "Traditional Japanese Music in New York State" (Linda Fujie); (7) "Country Dancing in Central and Western New York State" (James Kimball); (8)"Music in New York City's Chinese Community" (Audrey R. Mazur); (9) "'Our Own Little Isle:' Irish Traditional Music in New York" (Rebbeca S. Miller); (10) "From Eastern Europe to East Broadway: Yiddish Music in Old World and New" (Henry Sapoznik); (11) "Italian Music in New York" (Michael Schlesinger); (12) "Puerto Rican Music in New York City" (Roberta Singer); (13) "'Rock the House:' The Aesthetic Dimensions of Rap Music in New York City" (Madeline Slovenz); (14) "Anglo-American Folksong Collecting and Singing Traditions in Rural New York State" (Vaughn Ramsey Ward); and (15) "'Haiti Cherie': Journey of an Immigrant Music in New York City" (Lois E. Wilcken). (NP)