Tied to the Life and Work of Robert Johnson
During his career, Ainslie has become particularly tied to the life and work of late bluesman Robert Johnson, whose legend states that he sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroads. Ainslie was recently part of the official centennial celebration of Johnson’s birth, serving on a discussion panel and playing at the event. Ainslie has transcribed and published all of Johnson’s work.
He feels compelled to play, just like his teachers did. “I teach out of an obligation to my elders,” he said. He and and other instructors teach “to share with our brothers and sisters what we’ve learned.”
–“Blues Bash Concert is the First at The Barns,” 7/14/11
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.