Joseph Spence

by Mark A. Humphrey
Born on the island of Andrus in the Bahamas, Spence created an idiosyncratic (and inimitable) guitar style rife with percussive and improvisatory vamps around staid hymns and such square standards as Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer. He was a folk guitarists Thelonious Monk, and his growling vocal counterpoint and surprising inventions are one of folk musics great delights.