Reverend Gary Davis. © 2012 Acoustic Traditions LLC.

FILM + PERFORMANCE

AN EVENING OF COUNTRY BLUES

In video and performance works such as The Man, on view in the exhibition Ragnar Kjartansson: Song, Kjartansson explores and compares cultural undercurrents of Iceland and the social history of American Blues and folk music. Inspired by works in the exhibition, this evening of film and music offers the opportunity to further explore and enjoy the guitar-based blues that emerged from the Mississippi Delta in the early 20th century.

6:30 PM
HARLEM STREET SINGER (70 min.) by Trevor Laurence and Simeon Hutner

This documentary tells the little-known story of Reverend Gary Davis, the great blues, ragtime, and gospel musician. Tracing his journey from the tobacco warehouses of the rural south to the streets of Harlem, the film is a revealing portrait of an artist who influenced the musical landscape of folk music, endearing himself to musicians such as Pete Seeger, Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, and countless others.

8:00 PM
WOODY MANN and PAUL RISHELL and ANNIE RAINES

Woody Mann began his studies in the living room of the legendary blues, gospel, and ragtime guitarist the Rev. Gary Davis, going on to perform with modern-day blues musicians John Fahey, British great Jo-Ann Kelly, as well as early masters of the genre including Bukka White and Son House. The London Times said of Mann, “Don’t miss the chance to see him; you are unlikely to hear anything—or anyone—better in the fields that Mann has chosen to master." Paul Rishell and Annie Raines have carried the blues torch to new generations of blues lovers and musicians. Following in the footsteps of virtuosic duos like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy, they are a match made in Blues heaven. Rishell and Raines recorded six albums together, including Moving to the Country, a W.C. Handy Award Winner for Acoustic Blues Album of the Year. "While their guitar, harmonica, and vocals are roiling, muscular, and masterful, their shows are down home–friendly and fun-loving" (The Boston Globe).