Francis Wilford-Smith presents the first of a series of five programmes, each looking in depth at the work of a blues pianist. He begins with Cow Cow Davenport who was born in Alabama in 1894 and, after playing for rent parties, honkytonks and vaudeville, became a house pianist for two record companies. He accompanied singers like Ivy Smith and Lucille Brogan , as well as recording solo pieces, including his own 'Cow Cow Blues'.