Studied with Elder Musicians
A Phi Beta Kappa and honors graduate of Washington & Lee University, Ainslie also studied with elder musicians on both sides of the color line – in the Old-Time southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions, as well as with black Gospel and Blues musicians.
Ainslie has received numerous awards and grants for his work documenting and presenting traditional music. He is a powerful musician, a fine singer and a masterful storyteller.
Scott Ainslie
Born in Rochester NY in 1952, Scott Ainslie has been playing music on something since he was three years old. A guitarist since 1967 with powerful appreciation for and apprenticeships with elder black and white musicians in different musical traditions, Ainslie carries a portion of them forward in his own traditional blues performances and songwriting.