Blind Lemon Jefferson

Dates:

September 24, 1893 or October 26, 1894 – December 1929

Occupation:

blues musician

Also known as:

Deacon L.J. Bates, Deacon Bates

Blind Lemon Jefferson’s Birth

Blind Lemon Jefferson was born blind on a Couchman farm near Freestone Company, Texas. It is unclear the exact date, but according to census records he was born on September 24, 1893. However, on Jefferson’s World War I draft registration form, he claimed that he was born on October 26, 1894. Jefferson was the son of sharecroppers Alec and Clarissy Banks Jefferson.

Blind Lemon Jefferson Becomes a Musician

With little options available for the blind in the early 20th century, Jefferson learned to play the guitar and began performing sometime in his late teens, maybe around 1912. For a while he performed at house parties and on the street in Dallas with musician Leadbelly. Also while in Dallas, he met Roberta Ransom, who would later become his wife. He also traveled throughout Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama performing. He became a well known local performer.

Blind Lemon Jefferson Records

Finally, Jefferson received the break he was waiting for in 1925. Female classic blues singers had been recording “race records” for years, and record companies had come to the realization that the recording of country blues singers could be lucrative. A Dallas record store owner recognized Jefferson’s talent, and convinced a Paramount representative to set up a recording session.

In December 1925 or January 1926, Paramount arranged for Jefferson to come to Chicago to make his first recording. Jefferson could play more than the blues; his work on the streets had equipped him to sing spirituals and folk tunes. Under the name Deacon L.J. Bates, Jefferson recorded two spirituals, "I Want to be Like Jesus in My Heart" and "All I Want is That Pure Religion." He left Chicago and returned a few months later to record four songs. Among this batch of songs was “Long Lonesome Blues,” which was released in May 1926. It was an instant hit, and Jefferson received national prominence and success.

Jefferson became one of the most popular blues artists of the time. His style was unique: he had a two octave vocal range and his guitar solos were original, which often involved picking with his thumb. He recorded over 90 songs, many of them he wrote. Not all of his recordings were for Paramount. As was common with blues artists during this time, Jefferson was also easily swayed to record with another record label. In 1927, he recorded two of his most popular songs, “Black Snake Moan” and “Matchbox Blues,” for Okeh. Paramount persuaded Jefferson to come back, and he cut a version of “Matchbox Blues” for the company. In September 1929, he made his last recordings for Paramount in Richmond.

Blind Lemon Jefferson’s Mysterious Death

Within just a few months after his final recording, Jefferson was found dead in a snow covered street in Chicago. It is unclear whether he froze to death or had a heart attack after leaving a club. Jefferson was buried in an unmarked grave at the Wortham Negro Cemetery in Texas. His grave remained unmarked until 1967.

This article was written on May 15, 2008.