Guy Davis is a man of many talents. The son of famed actors/directors/civil rights activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee is not only a first-rate blues singer and guitar-player. He’s also known for being a prolific actor, a great songwriter, and a man of the theatre. In all of these artistic activities, Guy remains deeply connected with the cultural history of his African-American heritage. The foundation of this strong connection was laid early in his life. Born and raised in New York, Guy even as a kid was privileged to meet many heroes of Black America: Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Amiri Baraka, the list goes on. The Davis family ran an open house, so social situations of a remarkable nature were there to be experienced for everyone involved. This happened on a regular basis and the message was clear: being an artist and a concerned member of society was equally important. Ossie Davis and Ruby Lee did not separate their art from real life. With this attitude, they managed to supply an inspiring model for developing a strong artistic identity to their multi-talented son. Many friends of the Davis family made a profound mark in history: Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson. Ossie Davis himself served as eulogist at Malcolm’s funeral and later also became known for these remarkable words: „A mind is a terrible thing to waste“ - to be heard in a classic advert for the American Negro College Fund. It’s a message that could well serve as a caption for Guy Davis’ musical career as a bluesman, as he goes to work not only on stages and in recording studios. He’s also teaching at music camps and in schools. His famous parents’ careers had once started in the world of the theater in Harlem. Brilliant authors like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Ralph Ellison had enriched and shaped the minds of forward-minded readers and scholars with the power of their words. Inevitably, the blues served as a strong pillar in this intellectual framework. The young Guy Davis couldn’t help but hear its cadences in his formative years. His adult life was profoundly informed by the timeless message of the blues. When he saw Buddy Guy and his soon-to-be idol Taj Mahal perform, an aspiring bluesman was born. In the years to come, Guy Davis kept searching for the best way to combine his diverse artistic talents. He made his recording debut for Folkways as early as 1978, but it took him more than fifteen years – with many successful activities on theatre stages in the meantime – to get widespread recognition for his music. Excellent albums like „You Don’t Know My Mind“ and „Butt Naked Free“ were finally responsible for his breakthrough as a bluesman - with several Handy award nominations serving as ample proof of his success. Countless national and international concert appearances also contributed to his status as one of the best contemporary acoustic blues artists. Guy continues to hold that position to this day.