Norman Cazden was raised in New York City and studied at Julliard, New York City College, and Harvard. He was trained as a musician and composer, particularly on the piano. He was music director at Camp Woodland in the Catskills from 1945 to 1960, an experience which led to an interest in traditional music of that area and the publication of Folksongs of the Catskills. Cazden taught at various institutions, mainly the University of Illinois and the University of Maine.