American blues musician and acoustic guitarist
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Key moments and achievements from Paul Geremia's life.
Paul was born
· Providence, Rhode Island, United States
life
In 1959, a teenage Paul Geremia heard the seminal album "The Country Blues," released by Folkways Records, and read the accompanying book. This life-changing encounter ignited his lifelong passion for acoustic folk blues. The same album also profoundly influenced Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk, placing Geremia among an elite group of musicians inspired by this pivotal recording in American music history.
life
In 1959, a teenage Paul Geremia heard the seminal album "The Country Blues," released by Folkways Records, and read the accompanying book. This life-changing encounter ignited his lifelong passion for acoustic folk blues. The same album also profoundly influenced Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk, placing Geremia among an elite group of musicians inspired by this pivotal recording in American music history.
career
In 1965, Geremia dropped out of the University of Rhode Island to pursue music full-time, immersing himself in the vibrant Northeast folk-blues scene centered in Cambridge and Providence. During this period, he connected with legendary blues artists including Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Skip James, learning directly from the masters who had created the music he loved. These encounters profoundly shaped his playing style.
career
In 1965, Geremia dropped out of the University of Rhode Island to pursue music full-time, immersing himself in the vibrant Northeast folk-blues scene centered in Cambridge and Providence. During this period, he connected with legendary blues artists including Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Skip James, learning directly from the masters who had created the music he loved. These encounters profoundly shaped his playing style.
career
Geremia recorded his first album in 1968, having been significantly influenced by both the rural blues tradition and the 1960s folk music revival. Throughout his entire career spanning over five decades, he never recorded with electric guitar, remaining steadfastly devoted to acoustic playing. Rolling Stone magazine called him "one of the finest blues artists," praising his mastery of both six and twelve-string guitar.
career
Geremia recorded his first album in 1968, having been significantly influenced by both the rural blues tradition and the 1960s folk music revival. Throughout his entire career spanning over five decades, he never recorded with electric guitar, remaining steadfastly devoted to acoustic playing. Rolling Stone magazine called him "one of the finest blues artists," praising his mastery of both six and twelve-string guitar.
achievement
Beyond his renowned guitar work, Geremia was also a first-rate harmonica and piano player, and a husky, soulful singer whose style reflected the influence of every musician he encountered throughout his career. His influences ranged from Pink Anderson and Fred McDowell to Blind John Davis and Carl Johnson, and his performances were celebrated for their authenticity and emotional depth at blues festivals and concert halls across the country.
achievement
Beyond his renowned guitar work, Geremia was also a first-rate harmonica and piano player, and a husky, soulful singer whose style reflected the influence of every musician he encountered throughout his career. His influences ranged from Pink Anderson and Fred McDowell to Blind John Davis and Carl Johnson, and his performances were celebrated for their authenticity and emotional depth at blues festivals and concert halls across the country.
achievement
Geremia's rendition of Fred McDowell's "Get Right Church" was chosen as the opening track on "Preachin' the Blues: The Music of Mississippi Fred McDowell," released by Telarc Records. The album earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2002, bringing wider recognition to Geremia's decades of dedication to preserving and performing traditional acoustic blues. It was a testament to his status as a master interpreter of the genre.
achievement
Geremia's rendition of Fred McDowell's "Get Right Church" was chosen as the opening track on "Preachin' the Blues: The Music of Mississippi Fred McDowell," released by Telarc Records. The album earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2002, bringing wider recognition to Geremia's decades of dedication to preserving and performing traditional acoustic blues. It was a testament to his status as a master interpreter of the genre.
achievement
In 2013, Paul Geremia was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifetime of contributions to blues music and his deep roots in the Providence music scene. The honor celebrated his over five decades of performing, his role as a keeper of the acoustic country blues tradition, and his influence on generations of younger musicians who learned from his artistry and dedication.
achievement
In 2013, Paul Geremia was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifetime of contributions to blues music and his deep roots in the Providence music scene. The honor celebrated his over five decades of performing, his role as a keeper of the acoustic country blues tradition, and his influence on generations of younger musicians who learned from his artistry and dedication.
Paul Geremia passed away
