Blues Guitarist and Singer. He teamed with harmonica player Phil Wiggins to form the duo "Cephas & Wiggins" and play "Piedmont Blues" music the world over. Raised in Bowling Green, Virginia, about 75 miles south of Washington, he was the grandson of a slave, learned music early, and began playing in public at around age 9. He joined the Capitol Harmonizers, and toured for a number of years with piano-player Big Chief Ellis, while working as a master carpenter at the National Guard Armory in Washington. After US Army service during the Korean War, Mr. Cephas continued his dual career as a local musician, and as a carpenter; the course of his life changed when he met Mr. Wiggins in 1976. From 1977 to the end of Mr. Cephas' life, "Cephas & Wiggins" toured, and recorded, nationally, and (usually under State Department sponsorship), internationally. Their first records, "Living Country Blues" and "Sweet Bitter Blues" were cut in Germany in 1981. Their first domestic album, "Dog Days of August", won a Blues Music Award in 1987. That same year, they were named W.C. Handy Blues Entertainers of the year, and, in 1988, they played at the Russian Folk Festival. In 1989, the duo received the National Heritage Fellowship Award, and, in 1997, performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House. Mr. Cephas also had a small career as an actor, appearing in "Blind Man's Blues", and "Polk County" in Washington. He leaves behind numerous records, the last, "Richmond Blues", made for the Smithsonian in 2008. Mr. Cephas, whose birth date is sometimes given as December 4, died of pulmonary fibrosis. He was honored at the Library of Virginia the week prior to his death. Of his art, he said "Blues music is truth".
Blues Guitarist and Singer. He teamed with harmonica player Phil Wiggins to form the duo "Cephas & Wiggins" and play "Piedmont Blues" music the world over. Raised in Bowling Green, Virginia, about 75 miles south of Washington, he was the grandson of a slave, learned music early, and began playing in public at around age 9. He joined the Capitol Harmonizers, and toured for a number of years with piano-player Big Chief Ellis, while working as a master carpenter at the National Guard Armory in Washington. After US Army service during the Korean War, Mr. Cephas continued his dual career as a local musician, and as a carpenter; the course of his life changed when he met Mr. Wiggins in 1976. From 1977 to the end of Mr. Cephas' life, "Cephas & Wiggins" toured, and recorded, nationally, and (usually under State Department sponsorship), internationally. Their first records, "Living Country Blues" and "Sweet Bitter Blues" were cut in Germany in 1981. Their first domestic album, "Dog Days of August", won a Blues Music Award in 1987. That same year, they were named W.C. Handy Blues Entertainers of the year, and, in 1988, they played at the Russian Folk Festival. In 1989, the duo received the National Heritage Fellowship Award, and, in 1997, performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House. Mr. Cephas also had a small career as an actor, appearing in "Blind Man's Blues", and "Polk County" in Washington. He leaves behind numerous records, the last, "Richmond Blues", made for the Smithsonian in 2008. Mr. Cephas, whose birth date is sometimes given as December 4, died of pulmonary fibrosis. He was honored at the Library of Virginia the week prior to his death. Of his art, he said "Blues music is truth".
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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