Jerron Paxton

Biography

Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, born January 26, 1989 in Los Angeles, California, is a celebrated American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and tradition bearer of early blues, jazz, and Black folk music. Raised in the Watts district, Paxton's Southern roots—his grandparents migrated from Louisiana to California in 1956—deeply influenced his musical upbringing. He was immersed in the sounds of old Cajun and country blues sung by his grandmother and the blues played on local radio, sparking a passion for music that led him to the fiddle at age twelve and the banjo at fourteen. Paxton is legally blind, having lost most of his sight as a teenager, but this has not hindered his artistic development[1][4][8].

Paxton moved to upstate New York in 2007 to attend Marist College and soon became a fixture in Brooklyn's roots music scene. He is renowned for his mastery of guitar, banjo, piano, violin, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and more, drawing from the blues idiom of the 1920s and '30s and the traditions of artists like Fats Waller, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bessie Smith, and Lonnie Johnson[1][2][3]. His performances at major festivals, including his role as artistic director of the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Workshop and Festival, and his appearances in documentaries such as "The American Epic Sessions," have cemented his reputation as a leading interpreter of Black traditional music[1][3][7].

Paxton's artistry is characterized by a refusal to compartmentalize genres, blending blues, jazz, ragtime, country blues, Cajun, and old-time music into what he calls "Black folk music." He is often compared to contemporary tradition bearers like Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', and Corey Harris, and is one of the few African-American banjo players touring today. His legacy lies in his ability to channel the spirit and sound of early American music, inspiring new generations to appreciate and learn from the rich tapestry of Black musical heritage[1][3][4].

Fun Facts

• Paxton is legally blind, having lost most of his sight at age 16, but retains some peripheral vision and continues to perform and travel independently[4][8].
• He voiced and sang as "The Highwayman" in the acclaimed animated series 'Over the Garden Wall' (2014)[1].
• Paxton is one of the few contemporary African-American banjo players actively touring and teaching today[1][3].
• He collects and studies old recordings, often using VHS and cassette tapes to learn traditional songs by ear as a child[3].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Paxton's Grandmother - Taught him stroke style banjo and sang old Cajun and country blues songs, shaping his earliest musical education. (Family performances, influence on "It's All Over Now") [Childhood to teens]
• Fats Waller - Major stylistic influence from early jazz and blues piano. (Paxton's piano style and repertoire) [Ongoing inspiration]
• Blind Lemon Jefferson - Influence on blues guitar and vocal style. (Blues repertoire and performance style) [Ongoing inspiration]

Key Collaborators

• The Dust Busters - Performed as an opening act and shared festival stages with this old-time string band. (Live performances at roots music festivals) [2007–2010s]
• Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Workshop Faculty - Worked alongside Daryl Davis, Corey Harris, and Phil Wiggins as artistic director and instructor. (Workshops, festival performances) [2014–present]
• Bernard MacMahon - Collaborated on the documentary film "The American Epic Sessions." ("The American Epic Sessions" (2017)) [2017]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary Acoustic Blues Musicians - Inspired younger artists to explore prewar blues and Black folk traditions through workshops and performances. (Workshops, festival mentorship) [2012–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. By the Lagoon (By the Lagoon)
2. The Highwayman (feat. Jerron 'Blind Boy' Paxton) (Over the Garden Wall (Original Television Soundtrack))
3. So Much Weed (Things Done Changed)
4. Elevator Papa, Switchboard Mama (Elevator Papa, Switchboard Mama)
5. Liza Jane (Sidetrack My Engine)
6. Dirtiest Little Darling (Dirtiest Little Darling / Railroad Bill)
7. What's Gonna Become of Me (Things Done Changed)
8. What's Gonna Become of Me (What's Gonna Become of Me)
9. Briggs Hop Light Hornpipe Medley (Sidetrack My Engine)
10. Things Done Changed (Things Done Changed)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia