In my collection of stuff, I have a 3rd Annual Mariposa schedule for August 9, 10, 11 of 1963.
In the guide on page 3 is a bio. of Al.
"A Maritimer from Finney's Cove, Nova Scotia - Al from a very early age was surrounded by a wealth of spirituals, blues and folksongs that his father passed on to him.
With this as a source of material, Al sang with many diversified groups trying each medium of song expression. However, it was not until he had lived in Toronto for two years that he decided it was the folk idiom that seemed to satisfy him most. He began to sing in the various folk clubs in Toronto accompanied by a guitarist.
Al ventured out on his own and while learning to play the guitar, such artists as Jimmy Rushing, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Paul Robson made a marked impression upon Al. Since then he has developed a very distinct style of his own, concentrating on blues, English ballads, spirituals and work songs."