Blind John Davis

by Jim ONealThe piano work of John Davis was featured on blues records by the score during the 30s and 40s. His accompaniments to Tampa Red, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Bill Broonzy, and others brought him fame as a blues musician, but like his piano compatriot Little Brother Montgomery, Davis did not care to be typecast as such and often expressed a preference for the sweet, sentimental favorites he played in countless piano lounges. But as with Montgomery, most of Daviss own recording opportunities came from blues companies, and he never failed to acquit himself well when it came to blues and boogie-woogie. He was the first pianist to do a European blues tour (with Broonzy in 1952), returning to the continent frequently as a solo act during the 70s and 80s. With blues-piano appreciation in Europe being what it is and has been, its not surprising that most of the albums of Blind John Davis were recorded there and not in Chicago, his home from the age of two until his death.