Roland Gresham Sr. & Annie Sellick

When I worked with my first jazz trio, I had no idea how few guitarists play like Roland Gresham did - strumming and soloing with his thumb a-la Wes Montgomery, assuredly Roland's hero (he had several original instrumentals written in his honor and sung his praises often).
Here we are on our locally treasured jazzman's birthday in 1999 at the Boro Bar and Grill in Murfreesboro, TN with Andy Evans on bass and Sam Baker on drums.

[@jherbison]

I miss Roland. Wish he could come to my living room again and jam! He always told me, I didn’t need him there. He said, you know how to play, I just bring the songs! He always brought so much more! I have not seen anyone to this day that plays as smooth and effortlessly like he did.

[@bubbatheking9225]

The Boro is full of monstah talent to this day!

[@patrickburke7]

Thanks for posting this. I'm one of the hundreds of students of Roland...I don't think I ever learned much, based on my limited ability at guitar, but seeing him once a week was a huge highlight for my teenage self. I still miss him - not nearly as much for his playing, which was stupendous, nor even his stories, which were amazing and a who's who of early rock and blues history, but just for his easy kindness. The man was a treasure.

[@jherbison]

Totally agree!

[@aedixon]

Great description of him! I'm so glad I found this just now. I was telling a friend about Roland playing Sunday brunch as Bosco's in Nashville when I was a hostess there, gosh, around 2003 maybe. Incredibly talented, but really just a kind soul. I'm so sad I didn't keep up with him.

[@thejean-paulsartreinsightp2414]

Me too, Patrick!

[@OmShaanti1111]

Beautiful voice and lovely vibe, will you be posting more often? 🌸🙏🌸