- Jaybird Coleman
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Burl C. "Jaybird" Coleman (May 20, 1896 – January 28, 1950) was an American country blues harmonica player, guitarist and singer.
Born in Gainesville, Alabama, United States, the son of sharecroppers and one of four children. He was born, raised and worked on a farm, and picked up and learned the harmonica at 12 years of age. Coleman began performing the blues as an entertainer for American soldiers while serving in the United States Army. It was during this period that he was given the nickname "Jaybird" due to his independent manner.[1][2] In the early 1920s, he teamed with fellow bluesman Big Joe Williams as a performer in the Birmingham Jug Band which toured through the American South.[1]
Coleman made his first recordings as a solo artist in 1927. His career as a recording artist lasted only until 1930, after which he performed mostly on street corners throughout Alabama.[2]
He died of cancer at the age of 53 in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1950.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Sheldon, Harris (1979). Blue's Who's Who. De Capo Press, Inc. p. 125. ISBN 0-306-80155-8.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Jaybird Coleman:Biography". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p37988. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
External links
- Biography on Alabama Music Hall of Fame site
- Profile on Answers.com
- Illustrated Jaybird Coleman discography
Categories:- 1896 births
- 1950 deaths
- African American musicians
- American blues guitarists
- American blues harmonica players
- American blues singers
- American buskers
- Cancer deaths in Alabama
- Deaths from cancer
- Harmonica blues musicians
- Musicians from Alabama
- Piedmont blues musicians
- People from Tuskegee, Alabama
- American country musician stubs
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