Skip James

Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James (June 9, 1902 – October 3, 1969) was a significant American Delta blues musician, recognized for his distinctive contributions as a singer, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter.

James's guitar playing was characterized by its dark, minor-key sound, often executed in an open D-minor tuning. His intricate fingerpicking technique set him apart. He made his initial recordings for Paramount Records in 1931. However, these recordings saw limited commercial success, largely due to their release during the economic hardships of the Great Depression, which led to James receding from the public eye.