Blind Lemon Jefferson
Wortham, Freestone County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born near Wortham. As a young street musician, played a guitar and sang spirituals and blues. Composed many of his songs, and had a distinctive vocal style. From Dallas' Deep Ellum district went to Chicago in 1920's with a talent scout; made 79 great jazz and blues recordings. One of America's outstanding original musicians, influenced Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Bessie Smith, and other great artists. Recorded - 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born near Wortham around the turn of the century, Blind Lemon Jefferson began as a street musician singing spirituals and blues to his own guitar, sharpening his craft in Dallas's Deep Ellum district. Discovered by a talent scout in the 1920s, he recorded some 79 sides in Chicago, his distinctive voice and self-composed songs shaping generations of jazz and blues artists.
Why it matters
As one of the first commercially successful country-blues recording artists, Jefferson helped carry a Black Texas musical tradition into the mainstream of American popular music.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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