This collection, particularly rich in traditional fiddle tunes from the Upper South, is now in the Archive of Folk Culture at the Library of Congress.
The documentation trips merged into a process of apprenticeship, and he began playing the fiddle under the influence of new masters, particularly Henry Reed, who was then in his eighties.
In 1976 Alan Jabbour became the founding director of the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress, continuing in that position for twenty-three years before stepping down from the directorship and retiring from federal service in 1999.
He has published widely on the subject of folklore and folklife, including a number of publications on American folksong and instrumental folk music.
He has served on numerous panels and boards, including the D.C. Humanities Council (co-chair, 1987–88), the American Folklore Society (president, 1988), the Fund for Folk Culture (chair, 1991–94), the National Coalition for Heritage Areas (1993–97), the European Center for Traditional Culture (1996–98), and the Alliance for American Quilts (1996- ).