Blind John Davis
| Blind John Davis | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Henry Davis |
| Born |
December 7, 1913 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States |
| Died |
October 12, 1985 (aged 71) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Blues, jazz, boogie-woogie |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, pianist, singer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1933–1985 |
| Labels | Vocalion, Disques Vogue, Riverside, Happy Bird, Christi, Oldie Blues, Sirens, L&R, Red Beans |
| Associated acts | Johnny Lee's Music Masters, Johnny Davis Rhythm Boys, John Davis Trio |
Blind John Davis (December 7, 1913 – October 12, 1985)[1] was an African-American, blues, jazz and boogie-woogie pianist and singer.[2][3] He is best remembered for his recordings including "A Little Every Day" and "Everybody's Boogie".[1]
Biography
Davis was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but he relocated with his family to Chicago at the age of two.[4] Seven years later he had lost his sight. In his early years Davis backed Merline Johnson, and by his mid-twenties he was a well known and reliable accompanying pianist. Between 1937 and 1942, Davis recorded with Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Tampa Red, Merline Johnson, and others, playing on many recordings of that time. He also waxed several efforts of his own, using his own lightweight voice.[2]
After playing on various earlier recording sessions with him, in the 1940s Davis teamed up with Lonnie Johnson.[5] Recording later on his own, "No Mail Today" (1949) became a minor hit for Davis.[2] Most of Doctor Clayton's later recordings featured Davis on piano.[6]
He toured Europe with Broonzy in 1952, the first blues pianist to do so. In later years Davis toured and recorded frequently in Europe, where he enjoyed a higher profile than in his homeland.[4]
In 1955 Davis' Chicago house burnt down in which he lost his wife and his collection of 1700 unique 78 rpm records with issued and unissued recordings.[7]
Davis died in his adopted hometown of Chicago, at the age of 71, in October 1985.
Discography
- The Incomparable Blind John Davis (1974) – Oldie Blues, OL 2803[8]
- Alive "Live" and Well (1976) – Chrischaa
- Heavy Timbre - Chicago Boogie Piano (1976 and re-released in 2002) – The Sirens Records
- Stompin' on a Saturday Night (1978) – Alligator
- You Better Cut That Out (1985) – Red Beans
- Blind John Davis [Story of Blues] (1991) – Story of Blues
- The Incomparable Blind John Davis (1997) – Oldie Blues, OLCD 7003 (re-issue of OL 2803)[9]
- My Own Boogie (2002) – Past Perfect (UK)[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dead Rock Stars Club based birth and death details efortress.com
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. pp. 105–06. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ↑
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 O'Neal, Jim. "Blind John Davis". Allmusic. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ↑ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues – From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 41. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ↑ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues – From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. pp. 101–102. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ↑ Olderen, Martin van, liner notes of OLCD 7003 The Incomparable Blind John Davis (1997)
- ↑ "Oldies Blues discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
- ↑ Steve Leggett (June 20, 1974). "The Incomparable Blind John Davis – Blind John Davis | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
- ↑ "Blind John Davis | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-18.