Blind John Davis

Blind John Davis (December 7, 1913 – October 12, 1985)^[1] was an American blues 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]

Davis was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and 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, he recorded with Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Tampa Red, Red Nelson,^[5] Merline Johnson, and others. He also made several records of his own, singing in his lightweight voice.^[2]

Having played in various recording sessions with Lonnie Johnson, Davis teamed up with him in the 1940s.^[6] He recorded later on his own. His "No Mail Today" (1949) was a minor hit.^[2] Most of Doctor Clayton's later recordings featured Davis on piano.^[7]

He toured Europe with Broonzy in 1952, the first blues pianist to do so.^[8] In later years Davis toured and recorded frequently in Europe, where he enjoyed a higher profile than in the United States.^[4]

In 1955, Davis's house in Chicago burned down. His wife died in the fire, and his collection of 1700 78-rpm records, some of them unissued, was destroyed.^[9]

Davis died in Chicago on October 12, 1985. He was 71.

• The Incomparable Blind John Davis (1974), Oldie Blues OL 2803^[10]
• Alive "Live" and Well (1976), Chrischaa
• Heavy Timbre: Chicago Boogie Piano (1976, re-released 2002), 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

• List of boogie woogie musicians
• List of Chicago blues musicians
• Piano blues

• Blind John Davis at Discogs