John Jackson (blues musician)

John Jackson (February 24 1924 — January 20 2002) was a talented blues musician in the Piedmont style; his music did not become primary until his accidental "discovery" by folklorist Bill Perdue in the 1960s. In fact, he had effectively given up playing for his community in 1949.

Life and career

Born in John H Jackson [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifixq95ldke~T1 All Music Guide biography - accessed January 2008] ] in Woodville, Virginia into a musical family, he learned to play as a boy before moving in his twenties to Fairfax, VA, where he had a day job as a gravedigger, one of many jobs he performed.cite book
first= Tony
last= Russell
year= 1997
title= The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray
edition=
publisher= Carlton Books Limited
location= Dubai
pages= p. 1222
id= ISBN 1-85868-255-X]

His easy-swinging guitar and strongly accented singing were first heard outside of his locality on the early 1960s albums for Arhoolie. He visited Europe several times, played many a folk festival, and also recorded for Rounder and Alligator Records. Jackson died in 2002 of liver cancer in Fairfax Station, Virginia, at the age of 77.

Discography

Albums

* "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" (1970)
* "Deep In Bottom" (1990)
* "Country Blues & Ditties" (1999)
* "Front Porch Blues" (1999)

References

External links

* [http://www.elijahwald.com/longarch.html#jojack Interview with John Jackson by Elijah Wald]
* [http://www.bluesworld.com/JohnJackson.html John Jackson remembered from bluesworld.com]
* [http://www.music-tree.com/jackson.html John Jackson 1924-2002 from Music Tree Artist Management]
* [http://www.homespuntapes.com/staticsite/prodpg473.asp "Fingerpicking Blues of John Jackson" from Homespun Video]
* [http://www.wirz.de/music/jackson.htm Illustrated John Jackson discography]