David Guion (1892-1981) was an American composer and pianist, especially associated with music drawing on the songs, dances and landscape of the American Southwest. Born in Texas, he became known for pieces that brought regional material into the recital and concert worlds.

His best-known works include Turkey in the Straw, The Harmonica Player and other piano and vocal pieces inspired by cowboy songs, folk tunes and frontier imagery. His music appears in the Pristine catalogue among American piano repertory.

Guion’s style is direct, colourful and often rhythmically lively, shaped by popular melody and local character. It belongs to a period when American composers were trying to make concert music sound less imported and more home-grown.

His work can sound modest beside larger symphonic ambitions, but its cultural impulse is important. Guion helped give vernacular American material a place at the piano, boots and all.