Paul Geremia, a revered American blues musician and acoustic guitarist, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the age of 81, with loved ones by his side. Born on April 21, 1944, in Providence, Rhode Island, Geremia was a third-generation Italian-American who often humorously described his origins as "born in the Providence River Delta." He became a profound scholar and practitioner of pre-World War II country blues traditions, dedicating his life to the acoustic blues, characterized by virtuosic fingerpicking and slide guitar techniques, soulful vocals, and a deep understanding of the genre's history. His dedication earned him a distinguished place among blues aficionados and critics alike.

Geremia's musical journey began in his youth, teaching himself harmonica around the age of twelve before picking up the guitar by 1959. His passion for the blues was ignited by seminal recordings and the influential book "The Country Blues" by Sam Charters. He was deeply influenced by Travis-style pickers, folk artists like Tim Hardin and Tom Rush, and was profoundly impacted by hearing Mississippi John Hurt and Skip James in 1963. This early immersion in the roots of American music shaped his lifelong commitment to preserving and evolving the acoustic blues sound, leading him to eschew electric instruments throughout his recording career, cleaving steadfastly to a traditional ethic with his acoustic playing.

In 1965, Geremia made the pivotal decision to leave the University of Rhode Island to pursue music professionally, immersing himself in the vibrant folk-blues scenes of Cambridge and Providence. He honed his craft playing early gigs at open-mic nights at the Folklore Center in New York City, his first paid gig at Tete a Tete Coffeehouse in Providence, and at well-known Boston venues including The Loft, Turk's Head Coffeehouse, The Sword In The Stone, and Unicorn Coffee House. His first studio recordings appeared on the 1967 anthology "Cracks in the Ceiling."

His solo debut album, "Just Enough," was released by the historic Folkways Records in 1968, marking the beginning of a prolific recording career. Following this, he signed with Sire Records for his self-titled sophomore album in 1969, then Adelphi Records for "Hard Life Rockin' Chair" in 1973. The 1980s saw him release "I Really Don't Mind Living" (1982) and "My Kinda Place" (1986) with Flying Fish Records. He later secured a two-album deal with the Austrian folk-blues label Shamrock Records, releasing "Gamblin' Woman Blues" (1992) and "Self Portrait in Blues" (1995). His final four albums were with Red House Records, concluding with "Love My Stuff" (2011), a 21-track LP of previously unreleased live performances.

Beyond his recordings, Geremia was known for his extensive touring, which included regular performances across Europe starting in 1989. His contributions to the genre were recognized with a Grammy Award nomination in 2002 for his rendition of Fred McDowell's "Get Right Church" on the anthology "Preachin' the Blues: The Music of Mississippi Fred McDowell." Additionally, two of his Red House releases, "Gamblin' Woman Blues" and "Self Portrait in Blues," were nominated for W.C. Handy Awards. Acoustic Guitar magazine lauded him as "possibly the greatest living performer of the East Coast and Texas fingerpicking and slide styles" and "One of the best country blues finger-pickers ever."

Geremia also played a significant role in the blues community, notably helping to revitalize the career of blues legend Pink Anderson in 1973. Through Geremia's efforts, Anderson played his first nightclub performance and first show for a white audience, including a four-night stand at the Salt Theatre in Newport, and later at Yale University, Harper College, and the Folklore Center. This assistance brought Anderson back into the spotlight of the folk revival.

In 2013, Paul Geremia's enduring legacy and profound impact on American music were formally acknowledged with his induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. His career, however, was brought to an unfortunate halt in June 2014 when he suffered a severe stroke, which ended his ability to perform. Following his stroke, he resided at Steere House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Providence, with financial support from fellow musicians and friends.

Paul Geremia was predeceased by his parents, Albert C. Geremia and Anne Ciaccia Geremia, and his sister, Linda Geremia Holmes. He is survived by his nieces, Amy Holmes-Hughes and Kelly Holmes-Hollinger; his great-nephews, Jackson, Trenton, Kaden Hollinger, and Logan Hughes; and Janet Isserlis. His passing has been met with deep sadness across the blues and roots music community, and locally in Rhode Island. Tributes have been published by Daily Kos, calling him a "giant in the world of acoustic music and hero of the blues," and by Suggest.com, with the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame expressing "deep sadness" and noting his lasting influence. His nephew announced his passing on Facebook, and early legacy articles and retrospectives have been published by Daily Kos, Suggest.com, and the Music Museum of New England, summarizing his career and impact.

Paul Geremia leaves behind a rich discography and a profound influence on the acoustic blues landscape. His unwavering dedication to the authentic sounds of the blues, his masterful musicianship, and his soulful interpretations ensured that the traditions he cherished would continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come. He will be remembered as a true original and a national treasure in the world of American roots music, his scholarly approach to the blues continuing to serve as a vital link in the preservation and evolution of American acoustic blues.