The things that Bach and Ellington have in commin in my mind are that what they did was complete onto themselves. Thats the gift given from someone creating completely from the moment they come out of and the magic in the air at that time ! .

             Its very hard for me to put meny on the same list as Bach because of the shear power of truthful human endevor that comes through on his breath of work .
         
          That said lots of people of those decades (48 =58 -68 )were complete onto themselves and not all of it could be called folk in my mind so this makes for a quandry on a list . I guess Woody Guthrie would be at the top of my folk list , And ascew I would add Skip James . A little later I would also add Martin Carthy and Ry Cooder in almost the same breath but for completely diferent reasons.

      Would the great Blind Blake and Lonny Johnson be pre-cersers?? Ha Sorry


                         All the best , Guy