Henry Thomas (blues musician)

Henry Thomas
Vocalion Records promotional photo of Thomas c. 1927
Vocalion Records promotional photo of Thomas c. 1927
Background information
Also known asRagtime Texas
Born1874
Big Sandy, Texas, U.S.
Died1930 (aged 55–56)
Genres
  • Country blues
  • ragtime
  • gospel
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songster
  • musician
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • quills
Years active1927–29 (recording career)
LabelsVocalion

Henry Thomas (1874 – 1930) was an American country blues singer, songster and musician. Although his recording career, in the late 1920s, was brief, Thomas influenced performers including Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, the Lovin' Spoonful, the Grateful Dead, and Canned Heat.[1][2] Often billed as "Ragtime Texas",[3] Thomas's style is an early example of what later became known as Texas blues guitar.[4]

  1. ^ Shadwick, Keith (2001). "Henry Thomas". Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Quintet Publishing. p. 650. ISBN 1-86155-385-4.
  2. ^ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music. Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference wirz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Johnson, Greg (February 1999). "Henry "Ragtime Texas" Thomas". BluesNotes. Cascade Blues Association. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.