Tom Winslow

Thomas Griffin Winslow (November 13, 1940 – October 23, 2010) was an American folk singer and writer known as a "disciple" of Reverend Gary Davis and a former member of Pete Seeger's band. He performed with his family as The Winslows and recorded with Al Polito. His career as a performing artist lasted over forty years. He was most notable as the composer of "Hey Looka Yonder (It's The Clear Water)", a folk song that has been the anthem of the Sloop Clearwater.

This song is significant and historic in several ways: It was the first environmental song by an African-American songwriter, predating "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" by two full years. It was Peter Seeger's and Tom Winslow's major collaboration. It was first recording by The Winslows - which included Tom Winslow's entire family, including toddler Thomasina Winslow, now a blues singer in her own right, singing and playing instruments in the background.

A hit for a musical tradition outside of the popular music mainstream, the album and single of "It's the Clearwater" are still relevant by collectors of old-time folk music.

Folk music circuit Winslow was part of the folk music circuit for four decades. Winslow was a mentor for a number of musicians, including his children and Guy Davis.

He played frequently at the People's Voices Cafe on 33rd St. in New York City in the 1980s. He has also performed at the Towne Crier Cafe in Beekman, New York. His music has been played on WFMU's program, Shrunken Planet.

In 2001, he performed at a Lincoln Center's "Out of Doors" Reverend Gary Davis tribute show, performing with an all-star line-up.

He performed at least annually at the Caffe Lena, a folk and blues venue in Saratoga Springs. At his last show on September 16, 2007, he was joined by his daughter, Thomasina.

During the early 2000s he played regularly in Troy's Washington Park, and the Troy Farmer's Market; the last time being April 26, 2008. He was called an "Edu-tainer Par Excellence!"

His shows at the Troy Farmer's Market helped earn it the "Best Farmer's Market - Best Goods" awards from Metroland, the Capital District weekly newspaper, and his performance was lauded specifically. He shared in a "Best live regional entertainment" award.

Death He died on October 23, 2010, aged 69, from complications from a stroke. It's the Clear Water (Biograph 1969, re-released 1992) BLP-12018 Inner Octaves (Truth Records 1978) (TR13712) Digital Podcast of Sunday Morning in Exile (compilation); Winslow performs "I The Living". PBS documentary, 'Til the River Runs Clear (soundtrack) Played with Gary Winslow on D Baby Played with Al Polito (guest guitarist)