Caffè Lena Inspires A New Generation Of Folk Musicians

Caffè Lena is one of the most influential folk music venues you've never heard of. Lena Spencer opened the cafè in 1960 and the Saratoga stage has been hosting some of the best folk musicians around ever since -- from Hedy West and Arlo Guthrie to Don McLean and Bob Dylan in his first performance outside of New York City.

In an interview with Soundcheck host John Schaefer, Jocelyn Arem -- the director of the Caffè Lena History Project -- talks about the new book and album about the venue and it's history.

And composer David Amram and musician Pete Kennedy -- who have both performed at the cafè join to discuss the community that formed around Caffè Lena, and the newly discovered recordings and photographs being published for the first time.