Great thread. Thanks! Saves me from asking a similar question.

And I love that you included Leadbelly in your list of artists. I'll take any opportunity to promote the music of that genre.

Leadbelly is among a group of VERY early artists to record folk music. His work is not only cool, but traces the origins of so much music to follow.

I agree that defining "folk music" is very subjective. Much (all?) of Leadbelly's music isn't original to him. It comes from much older sources. Primarily they were work songs passed down from generation to generation. They weren't written down or recorded until much later. The work songs Leadbelly sang probably derived from slaves in antebellum south, USA. Later, they were associated with prisoners who made up work chain-gangs. This is apparently where Leadbelly cut his musical teeth.

Arguably, his music and artists like him are the source for much of the jazz and blues music to come.

Other artists in the same vein as Leadbelly (not-necessarily work-songs, but early and historic folk musicians), include:

- Blind Willie McTell
- Bessie Smith
- Mississippi Fred McDowell
- Jelly Roll Morton
- Creole King Oliver

Somewhat later artists but also excellent:
- Buddy Guy
- Champion Jack DuPre
- Billie Holiday (Her version of "Without Your Love" is absolutely the best ever. Yes, not just my opinion. It's universally recognized by everyone. haha).
- Mose Allison
- J. Black (although his work can be hard to find, in my experience. Check out his version of "Paper Doll" if you can. I think it's one of the greatest.)
- Tommy Dorsey
- Louis Prima
- Charlie Parker

And so many others...