WALTER DAVIS
Mississippi born Walter was a young self-taught pianist when he set out for St.Louis in the mid-20s, but he fitted right in to the scene that had Peetie Wheatstraw or Roosevelt Sykes playing most nights. Heavily influenced by Leroy Carr and possessed of a mournful vocal tone, Walter cut his first record ‘M&O Blues’ was cut for the Victor label in 1930, and it went on to be a local hit. Walter’s best known song, ‘Sunnyland Blues’, was a nationwide hit for him in 1931, and he teamed up with guitarist Henry Townsend on many tracks as they exploited the fashion for piano/guitar duets.

Walter Davis Discography
There are six volumes of Walter’s work on the Document label, but this budget sampler is en excellent introduction to a much under-rated pianist.