Graham W. Jackson Sr. facts for kids

Graham Washington Jackson Sr. (born February 22, 1903 – died January 15, 1983) was a talented American musician. He played many instruments, including the theatre organ, piano, and accordion. He also led choirs. A famous photo of him was taken by Life magazine. It showed him playing music as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's funeral train left.

Early Life and Musical Talent

Graham Jackson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1903. He was an African American musician. From a young age, he showed a great talent for music. He could learn to play many instruments easily. By the time he was in high school, he was already giving concerts. He played both the piano and the organ. A rich person offered to pay for his college music studies. But this person passed away. So, Jackson continued to learn music on his own. He did this until he moved to Georgia.

Music Career in Atlanta

Jackson's musical performances led him to Atlanta. There, he became a featured musician at the Royal Theatre. He also played at Bailey's "81" club. This club had a special Kimball theatre organ just for him.

The famous jazz musician Count Basie once spoke about Graham Jackson. Basie said he heard Jackson playing the organ at Bailey's "81". He thought the music was "just beautiful." Basie was surprised because he knew Jackson from before. Back then, Jackson didn't play the organ. Basie learned that Jackson had studied the organ on his own. He had become a master at it. Basie felt that Jackson "owned that town" when it came to playing the organ.

During his early years in Atlanta, Jackson studied at several colleges. These included Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. In 1928, he started teaching music at Washington High School in Atlanta. He was the music director there until 1940.

Friendship with President Roosevelt

Graham Jackson became close friends with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. He performed for them many times in Washington, D.C. He was with President Roosevelt in Warm Springs, Georgia, when the President died on April 12, 1945. The day before, they had been working on a song together. It was "Goin' Home" by Antonín Dvořák. They were at the Little White House.

A photographer from Life magazine, Ed Clark, took a famous picture. It showed a tearful Jackson playing "Goin' Home" on his accordion. This was as Roosevelt's funeral train left Warm Springs. Jackson later remembered the moment. He said the photographer stumbled over his foot. The photographer then saw Jackson's crying face. He quickly took a picture.

Jackson also served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He helped raise over $3,000,000 for war bond sales. He also helped recruit people for the Navy. For his efforts, he received six special awards.

Later Musical Achievements

As Graham Jackson became more famous, people called him "The Ambassador of Good Will." In 1971, Governor Jimmy Carter named him the Official Musician of the State of Georgia. He appeared on popular TV shows like Toast of the Town with Ed Sullivan. He was also on Today Show with Dave Garroway.

Jackson also started the Graham Jackson Choir. This choir traveled a lot and recorded an album. He performed with many famous musicians. These included Vladimir Horowitz. Jackson often played the huge organ at Atlanta's Fox Theatre. He also recorded another album of solo theatre organ music. In his later years, Jackson played with a small band. He also performed alone on the Hammond organ. He played at restaurants in Atlanta. He often featured his own musical piece, The Battle of Atlanta.

Graham Jackson was one of a few African American musicians who mastered the theatre organ. Others included Fats Waller. In 1985, after he passed away, he was added to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 1960, Life magazine published an article about his amazing music career.

Personal Life

Graham Jackson was married to Helen Balton. They had two sons: Graham W. Jackson Jr. and Gerald Wayne Jackson. He built a home in Atlanta that looked like President Roosevelt's Little White House. Graham Jackson passed away at age 79 after having a stroke.

The Jackson Collection

The Atlanta Public Library has a large collection of items from Graham Jackson. This includes his papers, photos, recordings, and musical instruments. You can find a full list of these items online.