Stefan Grossman's Early Masters of American Blues Guitar: Rev. Gary Davis

by Gary Davis, Stefan Grossman

The Early Masters of American Blues series provides the unique opportunity to study the true roots of modern blues. Stefan Grossman, noted roots-blues guitarist and musicologist, has compiled this fascinating collection of 13 songs, transcribed exactly as performed by legendary blues master Rev. Gary Davis. In addition to Stefan's expert transcriptions, the book includes a CD containing the original recordings of Rev. Gary Davis so you can hear the music as he performed it. Reverend Gary Davis, also known as Blind Gary Davis, was a master musician who felt comfortable playing in a wide variety of styles and techniques. He could freely improvise on ragtime, religious and blues themes, and was an exciting and vibrant performer. An ordained minister, Rev. Davis often expressed a preference for gospel music, sometimes refusing to play the blues. In addition to transcribing all the songs in this collection, Stefan Grossman was also a student of Rev. Davis.

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

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.