Luke Jordan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luke Jordan
The only known photograph of Luke Jordan. Lynchburg, 1940's
Background information
Born	January 28, 1892 or November 1893 Lynchburg, Virginia or Bluefield, West Virginia or Appomattox County, Virginia, United States
Died	June 25, 1952 (aged 58 or 60) Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
Genres	Blues
Instruments	Vocals Guitar
Years active	1920s - 1939 or 1940s
Labels	Victor Records

Luke Jordan (born January 28, 1892, or November 1893 – died June 25, 1952) was an American blues musician. He was a talented guitarist and singer. Luke Jordan was especially well-known in his hometown area of Lynchburg, Virginia.

About Luke Jordan's Life

Luke Jordan's exact birthplace is not fully clear. Some records say he was born in Appomattox County, Virginia, or Bluefield, West Virginia. However, his official papers from World War I state he was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.

When he signed up for the army during World War I in 1917, he was living in Bluefield. At that time, he worked as a delivery boy and a janitor. His gravestone also shows that he served in the "7th Development Battalion" during the war.

Luke Jordan started his professional music career when he was around 35 years old. A record company called Victor Records discovered his talent. In 1927, he traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to record some songs. These records sold fairly well. Because of this, Victor Records invited him to New York City in 1929 for two more recording sessions.

Luke Jordan recorded only a few songs that are still known today. Unlike many other blues singers of his time, who had rough voices, Jordan sang in a smooth and calm way. During the Great Depression, he stayed in Lynchburg. People often saw him playing his guitar near the local shoe factory. By the 1940s, Luke Jordan had lost his singing voice and stopped performing.

In 1942, during World War II, Luke Jordan filled out another army registration card. It showed he was living in Lynchburg and was not working at the time.

Luke Jordan passed away in Lynchburg in June 1952. His gravestone is located at Forest Hill Burial Park in Lynchburg, Virginia.

His song "Church Bells Blues" was later recorded by another blues musician named Ralph Willis. It was also part of a medley (a mix of songs) recorded by David Bromberg, combined with "Statesboro Blues" by Blind Willie McTell.

Songs Recorded by Luke Jordan

Luke Jordan recorded several songs during his career. Here are some of his known recordings:

Recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina (August 16, 1927)

• "Church Bells Blues"
• "Pick Poor Robin Clean"
• "Traveling Coon"

Recorded in New York City (November 18, 1929)

• "My Gal's Done Quit Me"
• "Won't You Be Kind?"

Recorded in New York City (November 19, 1929)

• "If I Call You Mama"
• "Look Up, Look Down"
• "Tom Brown Sits in His Prison Cell"
• "That's a Plenty"