St. Louis Jimmy Oden facts for kids

James Burke Oden (born June 26, 1903 – died December 30, 1977) was an American blues singer and songwriter. He was best known by his nickname, St. Louis Jimmy. He wrote many popular blues songs and worked with other famous musicians.

Early Life and Music

James Burke Oden was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Sadly, his parents passed away before he turned eight years old. From a young age, he loved music. He taught himself to play the piano and enjoyed singing.

When he was a teenager, James moved to St. Louis. This city was famous for its piano-based blues music. He worked hard to improve his singing. He also started performing with a talented piano player named Roosevelt Sykes. They played music together in St. Louis for over ten years.

Moving to Chicago

In 1933, James Oden and Roosevelt Sykes moved to Chicago. This is where James got his famous nickname, "St. Louis Jimmy." He became very successful in Chicago, performing and recording music for the next forty years. Even though Chicago became his home, he traveled all over the United States, playing blues music with other artists.

One of his most famous songs was "Goin' Down Slow", which came out in 1941. His friend, the legendary blues musician Muddy Waters, even recorded some of St. Louis Jimmy's songs, like "Take the Bitter with the Sweet" and "Soon Forgotten."

Later Career and Legacy

In 1948, St. Louis Jimmy released another song called "Florida Hurricane." This song featured Muddy Waters on guitar and Sunnyland Slim on piano. The next year, in 1949, St. Louis Jimmy started his own small record company called J.O.B. Records with a partner named Joe Brown. He left the company after about a year, but it continued to release music until 1974.

After being in a car accident in 1957, St. Louis Jimmy performed less often. He continued to write songs, including "What a Woman!" In 1960, he released an album called Goin' Down Slow. He also sang on three songs for a recording session with Otis Spann that same year. These songs were later released on an album called Walking the Blues.

St. Louis Jimmy Oden passed away in Chicago in 1977 at the age of 74. He was buried in Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, near Chicago.

Key Recordings

• I Have Made up my Mind (1932)
• Goin’ Down Slow (1961)

Guest appearances:

• With Otis Spann: Walking the Blues (1960)
• With Sunnyland Slim: House Rent Party (1947)

See also

• List of blues musicians