Biography
Blind Lemon Jefferson, born Lemon Henry Jefferson in September 1893 near Couchman, Texas, was the youngest of seven children in a family of African-American sharecroppers. Blind from birth, Jefferson began playing guitar in his early teens, drawing from the vibrant musical traditions of the rural South, including blues, spirituals, and dance tunes. By 1912, he was performing regularly in Dallas, Texas, where his distinctive high-pitched voice and intricate guitar technique quickly set him apart from his contemporaries.
Jefferson's career took a significant turn in the mid-1920s when he was discovered by a Paramount Records scout and brought to Chicago to record. Between 1926 and 1929, he recorded nearly 100 songs, becoming one of the first solo blues singer-guitarists to achieve national commercial success. His innovative guitar style, characterized by melodic lead lines, bent notes, and unique phrasing, helped define the Texas blues sound. Jefferson's songwriting was equally influential, with classics like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean," "Matchbox Blues," and "Black Snake Moan" becoming standards in the blues repertoire.
Despite his commercial success, Jefferson's life ended abruptly and mysteriously in December 1929 in Chicago. He was buried in Wortham, Texas, and his grave remained unmarked for decades. Jefferson's legacy endures as a foundational figure in blues history, influencing generations of musicians and earning him the title "Father of the Texas Blues." His recordings have been continually reissued, and he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.
Fun Facts
- Jefferson recorded spiritual songs under the pseudonym Deacon L.J. Bates.
- He was one of the first male blues singers to achieve commercial success in a field then dominated by women like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.
- The circumstances of his death remain mysterious, with reports suggesting he died of a heart attack and exposure on a Chicago street.
- His grave in Wortham, Texas, went unmarked until 1967, when blues fans placed a marker inscribed with lyrics from his song "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean."
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Traveling Southern guitarists - Inspired Jefferson in his teens with their performances of blues and dance tunes in the rural South. (N/A) [early 1900s]
Key Collaborators
- Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) - Performed together in Dallas; Lead Belly was both a collaborator and later a disciple. (Live performances in Dallas) [1910s–1920s]
Artists Influenced
- T-Bone Walker - Directly influenced by Jefferson’s guitar style and knew him personally. (Texas blues recordings) [1930s–1940s]
- B.B. King - Cited Jefferson as one of his biggest musical influences. (Blues guitar style) [1940s–1990s]
- Lightnin' Hopkins - Influenced by Jefferson’s guitar technique and songwriting. (Texas blues recordings) [1940s–1980s]
- The Beatles (via Carl Perkins) - Covered "Matchbox Blues" (as "Matchbox") in a rockabilly version. (The Beatles' "Matchbox") [1950s–1960s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Rider Blues | 1925-12-20 | Album |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson | 1992-01-28 | Album |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson Vol. 2 (1927) | 1991 | Album |
| Complete Releases 1926-29 | 2023-12-08 | Album |
| That Black Snake Moan - The Voice of the Delta | 2025-07-04 | Album |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson | 2001 | Album |
| King Of The Country Blues | 1985-01-01 | Album |
| The Ultimate Country Blues Collection | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson Vol. 1 (1925 - 1926) | 1991 | Album |
| The Lemon Jefferson Anthology | 2024-07-05 | Album |
| Essential Classics, Vol. 695: Blind Lemon Jefferson | 2025-09-12 | Album |
| I Want to Be Like Jesus In My Heart | 2011-03-25 | Album |
| Black Snake Moan | 2008-02-12 | Album |
| The Complete Classic Sides Remastered: Chicago 1928 Disc C | 2002 | Album |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson Vol. 3 1928 | 1991 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Match Box Blues (4446) (Blind Lemon Jefferson Vol. 2 (1927))
- Black Snake Moan (Easy Rider Blues)
- Match Box Blues (Easy Rider Blues)
- Bad Luck Blues (Blind Lemon Jefferson)
- Match Box Blues (Blind Lemon Jefferson)
- See That My Grave's Kept Clean (American Epic: The Collection)
- Match Box Blues
- Black Snake Moan
- Black Snake Moan
- Easy Rider Blues (Blind Lemon Jefferson)
External Links
Tags: #acoustic-blues, #acoustic-texas-blues, #american
References
Heard on WWOZ
blind lemon jefferson has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | 10:46 | CHRISTMAS EVE BLUESfrom BLUES BLUES CHRISTMAS VOL 2 | Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders | |
| Nov 19, 2025 | 14:38 | see that my grave is kept cleanfrom king of country blues | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D | |
| Nov 7, 2025 | 19:27 | hangman's blues | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |