Papa Charlie Jackson facts for kids

Papa Charlie Jackson (born William Henry Jackson) was an important early American blues musician. He was born on November 10, 1887. He played the banjo, guitar, and ukulele. He often sang along with his own playing. His career in music recordings began in 1924. We don't know much about his early life. We do know he was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He passed away in Chicago, Illinois, on May 7, 1938.

Papa Charlie Jackson's Music Journey

William Henry Jackson started his music career in traveling shows. These were known as minstrel shows and medicine shows. In the early 1920s and 1930s, he often played in clubs in Chicago. He was also famous for playing music on the street. He would perform at Chicago's Maxwell Street Market.

In August 1924, he recorded two popular songs. These were "Airy Man Blues" and "Papa's Lawdy Lawdy Blues." They were released by Paramount Records. In April 1925, Jackson released his own version of "Shave 'Em Dry." One of his most famous songs was "Salty Dog Blues." He also played music with other famous blues singers. These included Ida Cox, Hattie McDaniel, and Ma Rainey.

In September 1929, Papa Charlie Jackson recorded with Blind Blake. Blind Blake was a very famous ragtime guitar player. Their songs together were called "Papa Charlie and Blind Blake Talk About It." These recordings were quite special. They mixed blues, funny songs, and ragtime music. Jackson made a few more recordings for Paramount Records in 1929 and 1930. In 1934, he recorded for Okeh Records. The next year, he recorded with Big Bill Broonzy. Overall, Papa Charlie Jackson recorded 66 songs during his career.

Famous Recordings

Here are some of Papa Charlie Jackson's well-known recordings:

• "Airy Man Blues" (1924)
• "Shake that Thing" (1925)
• "All I Want is a Spoonful" (1925)
• "Bad Luck Woman" (1926)
• "Let's Get Along" (1926)
• "Baby, Don't You Be So Mean" (1927)
• "Ash Tray Blues" (1928)
• "Baby Papa Needs His Loving" (1929)
• "Baby Please Loan Me Your Heart" (1929)

Papa Charlie Jackson's Lasting Impact

Papa Charlie Jackson was a very important person in blues music. He was the first blues musician to record his own music while playing an instrument. He wrote or was the first to record several songs that became blues classics. These include "All I Want Is a Spoonful" and "Salty Dog." Even so, many blues historians have not given him much attention.

His song "Shake That Thing" was later recorded by other groups. One group was Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions in 1964. The Wildpary Sheiks recorded "Loan Me Your Heart" in 2002. The Carolina Chocolate Drops recorded "Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine." This song was on their 2010 album, Genuine Negro Jig. This album even won a Grammy Award.

A short part of "Shake That Thing" was used in the TV show Sanford and Son. This happened in a 1973 episode called "The Blind Mellow Jelly Collection." In the episode, the character Fred Sanford danced and sang along to the song.

See also

In Spanish: Papa Charlie Jackson para niños

• Four Eleven Forty Four
• List of banjo players
• List of blues musicians
• List of country blues musicians
• Music of Louisiana