John Jackson

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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 Chuck Perdue in the 1960s. In fact, he had effectively given up playing for his community in 1949.

Born in John H Jackson 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.

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.

John Jackson had seven children. He had six boys and one girl with his wife Cora Lee Carter Jackson. He was preceded in death by his wife Cora Lee (1990), and his sons John Jackson Jr (1978), Ned Jackson (1978), and MacArthur Jackson (1996). Two of his remaining sons died after him Lee Floyd Jackson (2006) and Timothy Jackson (2008). His daughter Cora Elizabeth (Beth) Johnson and James Edward Jackson still live in the Fairfax, Virginia area.

Wikipedia contributors. "John Jackson (blues musician)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2010.