Jefferson, Blind Lemon (1897-1930), was one of the greatest and most influential blues singers in American music. His reputation rests on recordings he made in Chicago from 1926 to 1929. They reflect a primitive style that could be raw and forceful or haunting and melancholy. The records also show Jefferson’s skill as a guitarist. His recordings influenced generations of folk and blues singers.
Clarence Jefferson was born in Couchman, Texas. Historians do not agree whether he was born blind or was partially sighted throughout his life. As a teen-ager, Jefferson earned a living singing in Texas towns. He moved to Dallas in 1917, where he earned money as a wrestler and occasionally sang with folk singer Huddie Ledbetter (known as Leadbelly).
Some of Jefferson’s songs were autobiographical, and others show his sympathy for prison inmates. His major recordings include “Long Lonesome Blues” (1926), “Shuckin’ Sugar Blues” (1926), “Jack O’Diamond Blues” (1926), “Black Snake Moan ” (1927), “Match Box Blues” (1927), “Blind Lemon’s Penitentiary Blues” (1928), “Hangman’s Blues” (1928), and “Pneumonia Blues” (1929). Jefferson’s reputation among white listeners and musicians increased with the revival of interest in early African American blues singers during the 1950’s.
