Thom Davis
Port Angeles, Washington, United States
Music
Press
Instructor
Thom Davis is proving
to be a veritable Pied Piper
leading folks to the joys of the
world’s greatest instrument. - Clallam County YMCA Newsletter
“Davis picked up his National Steel guitar and the reflection of the stage lights was like a flash of lightning on the audience, when his slide hit the strings sparks flew.” - Mountain Democrat
“I closed my eyes and heard the soul of an old blues man. When the song was over I opened my eyes and saw a woman with tear-filled eyes sitting in the front row. - Pony Expresso
“That man sure can sing the blues” - Robert Lowery
“That is the best sounding National Steel Guitar I have ever heard” - Alice Stuart
Discography
CD’s:
"Ocean of Blues"
“Sharp Shooter Blues”
“Lizard Tales”
Appearances:
Centrum's CD
“Lay Down My Old Guitar- A Tribute To John Jackson“.
“Ragtime Rick" Blaufeld’s CD’s,
“Blue Cat Blues”
”Sweet Woman Blues”
“Hippie Blues”.
Art Napoleon’s CD's
“MIYOSKAMIN”
"MOCIKAN": Songs for Learning Cree
Film Documentary: PBS - by Leah Mahan
"Sweet Old Song"
Acclaimed Musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong
Photos
Bio
Thom Davis has been known as a Performer, Recording Artist, Instructor and Student of the American Musical Art-form known as “Country Blues”.
A native Californian, Thom’s background isn’t typical for a bluesman. His Spanish grandmother planted his musical roots in the Spanish classical and flamenco guitar when he was 7 years old. Later, Thom started a journey into Roots and Blues that would take him and his guitar far and wide in many countries, performing on the streets, in bars, coffee houses, folk & blues festivals, cruise ships and on live radio and TV.
Over the years, Thom crossed paths with many people whose influence was beneficial to his development and understanding of the blues tradition. Many of his influences became his teachers, among them are: Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, John Jackson, Cootie Stark, John Cephas, Jesse Fuller, Honey Boy Edwards, Robert Lowery, Precious Bryant, Alvin Youngblood-Hart, Doc Reese, Corey Harris, Alice Stuart and “Ragtime” Rick Blaufeld to name a few.
Thom first felt the power of the blues while playing a nightclub gig in Yokohama, Japan.
When he laid down the Nick Gravenites (Paul Butterfield Chicago Blues Band) tune “Born In Chicago”, the dancing stopped and the crowd went wild. Some years later Thom opened for Nick Gravenites at the Mendocino County Blues Festival.
Thom teaches private and multi-student lessons and workshops in the USA and abroad,
using the “Oral Tradition” style of teaching exactly as it was passed on to him. He teaches the history and language of the blues in the vernacular, which is essential for students and audiences to understand and feel the blues.
Links
