Gary Davis profile

African-American blues and gospel singer and guitarist.

b. April 30, 1896 (Laurens County, SC, USA)
d. May 5, 1972 (Hammonton, NJ, USA)

Born partially blind, Davis lost what little was left of his sight at a young age. Self-taught on the guitar, he assumed a unique multi-voice style produced solely with his thumb and index finger, playing not only ragtime and blues tunes, but also traditional and original tunes in four-part harmony.

He has been an influence on dozens of musicians such as Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Donovan, Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder, David Bromberg, Wizz Jones and Blind Boy Fuller.