List of Piedmont blues musicians

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The Piedmont blues (also known as Piedmont fingerstyle) is a type of blues music, characterized by a unique fingerpicking method on the guitar in which a regular, alternating-thumb bassline pattern supports a melody using the treble strings. [1] The result is comparable in sound to ragtime or stride piano styles. [1] The Piedmont blues originated in an area including and extending beyond the Piedmont plateau of the eastern United States, which stretches from about Richmond, Virginia, to Atlanta, Georgia. Piedmont blues musicians come from this area and also from Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida. [1] [2] Piedmont blues was popular in the early 20th century. [1]

Contents

Below is a list of Piedmont blues musicians.

A

B

C

D

E

F

H

J

L

M

P

Q

R

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W

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reverend Gary Davis</span> American singer and guitarist

Gary D. Davis, known as Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Gary Davis, was a blues and gospel singer who was also proficient on the banjo, guitar and harmonica. Born in Laurens, South Carolina and blind since infancy, Davis first performed professionally in the Piedmont blues scene of Durham, North Carolina in the 1930s, then converted to Christianity and became a minister. After moving to New York in the 1940s, Davis experienced a career rebirth as part of the American folk music revival that peaked during the 1960s. Davis' most notable recordings include "Samson and Delilah" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbecue Bob</span> American blues musician

Robert Hicks, known by the stage name Barbecue Bob, was an early American Piedmont blues musician. His nickname was derived from his working as a cook in a barbecue restaurant. One of the three extant photographs of him show him playing a guitar and wearing a full-length white apron and cook's hat.

John Charles Brim was an American Chicago blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He wrote and recorded the song "Ice Cream Man" which was later covered by the rock band Van Halen for their first album, and by Martin Sexton on his 2001 album, Live Wide Open, and by David Lee Roth on his album Diamond Dave and by Swedish band FJK as "Isglasskis".

Admirl Amos Easton, better known by the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was an American Piedmont blues singer and guitarist.

William McKinley "Jazz" Gillum was an American blues harmonica player.

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Curley James Weaver was an American blues musician, also known as Slim Gordon.

Terry Ray Garland, who was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, was an American blues guitarist, songwriter and singer. The Allmusic journalist Niles J. Frantz wrote that Garland was "a country blues interpreter who plays a National steel guitar, often with a slide, in the style of Bukka White and Fred McDowell."

Bull City Red was an American Piedmont blues guitarist, singer, and predominantly washboard player, most closely associated with Blind Boy Fuller and the Reverend Gary Davis. Little is known of his life outside of his recording career.

Ralph Willis was an American Piedmont blues and country blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. Some of his Savoy records were released under the pseudonyms Washboard Pete, Alabama Slim, and Sleepy Joe. His famous song is "Christmas Blues".

Alec Seward was an American Piedmont blues and country blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. Some of his records were released under pseudonyms, such as Guitar Slim, Blues Servant Boy, King Blues and Georgia Slim. His best-remembered recordings are "Creepin' Blues" and "Some People Say".

Blind Willie Walker was an early American blues guitarist and singer, who played the Piedmont blues style. He was described by blues musicians such as Reverend Gary Davis and Pink Anderson as an outstanding guitarist. Josh White called him the best guitarist he had ever heard, even better than Blind Blake: "Blake was quick, but Walker was like Art Tatum." In his performances, he was often accompanied by guitarist Sam Brooks.

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