Scott Ainslie is a master of the traditional blues guitar styles that gave rise to rock 'n' roll and
fueled the folk revival of the 1960's. He began playing guitar in 1967, after hearing grave digger
and blues musician John Jackson perform, and has
continually sought out senior traditional players, visiting musicians throughout
eastern North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia
Drawing on the musical legacies of Delta Blues legends Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, the East Coast's Blind Blake, and Durham's own Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller; Scott is a noted performer and scholar with more than a decade of experience
teaching elements of African and African-American music to students of all ages, both in the classroom and from the stage.
Coming of age during the Civil Rights era, Scott continues to have a deep
reverence and affection for cross-racial exchange and approaches the
tradition with the care and respect it is due. Welcomed and accepted as an
equal by his mentors (George Higgs of Tarboro, NC (age 66); Etta Baker of
Morganton, NC(age 83); John Jackson of Fairfax Station, VA (age 73);
and Willie Malloy of Fayetteville, NC (born in 1900); Scott honors the African
and American roots of the tradition and presents a mesmerizing tour of both the music and the history of
the Blues.