Papa Charlie Jackson
Papa Charlie Jackson was born on 10/11/1887 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His full birth name was William Henry Jackson. He starting performing in minstrel and medicine shows.In the 1920s and 1930s, he played at clubs in Chicago and regularly busked at Maxwell Street Market.
In August 1924, Jackson recorded the songs "Any Man Blues" and "Papa's Lawdy Lawdy Blues" for Paramount Records. In the same year, Jackson recorded an adaptation of the traditional song "Salty Dog Blues" which would be his most famous song. He would also accompany female blues singers such as Ida Cox, Hattie McDaniel, and Ma Rainey.
In 1929, Jackson recorded with his idol Blind Arthur Blake. The record 'Papa Charlie and Blind Blake Talk About It' was unusual in the way it contained elements of blues jam session, hokum recording, and ragtime. In 1929 and 1930, Jackson recorded a few more recordings for Paramount.
In 1934, Jackson recorded for Okeh Records.
In 1935, Jackson recorded with Big Bill Broonzy.
On 07/05/1938, Jackson died in Chicago, Illinois.
Jackson would record 66 sides during his career. He was the first self-accompanied blues musician to make records and one of the first in the hokum genre. Jackson accompanied himself with either a banjo, guitar or a ukulele.