Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
“Truly, one of the supreme talents to emerge from the Piedmont blues tradition. “– Bruce Bastin
Rev. Davis made a handful of recordings in 1939 while living in Raleigh, North Carolina. He became an important figure once he moved up to New York City in the late 1940s in the folk music scene. He was close friends with Lead Belly, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
He combined singing on the streets of Harlem with playing downtown at Greenwich Village coffee houses as well as prestigious concert halls. His guitar playing, teaching and repertoire influenced generations of folk and rock musicians: Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Dave Van Ronk, Jorma Kaukonen, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Dave Bromberg, Woody Mann and Stefan Grossman to name a few.
His repertoire comprised Medicine Show tunes, white ballads, military marches, country instrumentals, Piedmont blues guitar styles, old church hymns, revival meeting and Gospel songs, popular tunes from the turn of the last century and original songs and instrumental compositions.
Rev Gary Davis: The Video Collection
guitarvideos.com/#!/Rev-Gary-Davis-The-Video-Collection/p/131764943
“Truly, one of the supreme talents to emerge from the Piedmont blues tradition. “– Bruce Bastin
Rev. Davis made a handful of recordings in 1939 while living in Raleigh, North Carolina. He became an important figure once he moved up to New York City in the late 1940s in the folk music scene. He was close friends with Lead Belly, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
He combined singing on the streets of Harlem with playing downtown at Greenwich Village coffee houses as well as prestigious concert halls. His guitar playing, teaching and repertoire influenced generations of folk and rock musicians: Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Dave Van Ronk, Jorma Kaukonen, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Dave Bromberg, Woody Mann and Stefan Grossman to name a few.
His repertoire comprised Medicine Show tunes, white ballads, military marches, country instrumentals, Piedmont blues guitar styles, old church hymns, revival meeting and Gospel songs, popular tunes from the turn of the last century and original songs and instrumental compositions.
Rev Gary Davis: The Video Collection
guitarvideos.com/#!/Rev-Gary-Davis-The-Video-Collection/p/131764943
