AllMovie

This rich portrait tells the little-known story of Reverend Gary Davis, the great blues, ragtime, and gospel musician. Tracing his journey from the tobacco warehouses of the rural south to the streets of Harlem, the film is a revealing portrait of an artist whose unique style and remarkable skills on the guitar made him an icon in 1960s New York and inspired a generation of musicians. Harlem Street Singer celebrates the beauty and spirituality of his music as well as the human qualities that made Reverend Davis a much beloved teacher and minister. Featuring performances and interviews with musicians he influenced and taught, including Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane, David Bromberg, Stefan Grossman, John Cohen, Woody Mann, John Hammond and Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary. This is the story of an American master whose legacy continues to live on in today’s music scene.