great Piedmont blues guitarist, singer and songwriter with at least 2 LPs on Arhoolie from the 60s, a sharp guitar & banjo picker with a warm engaging personality; he also shares some childhood memories & tall tales
I was fortunate to know John and his wife Cora and we were friends. As great as it was to hear John play and sing it was just as great to hear him tell a story or tall tale. Such a good and friendly man. Miss him much.
He gone but never forgotten he was a treasure remembering today what I can never regain with the loss of john like so many he left a great impression on so many.
I wish I could have met Mr. Jackson. I could have spent hours picking, listening to his music and his stories. He seemed like such a kind and gentle man and a great talent.
In 1975 John and I played at the Jazzland club in Vienna, Austria(not the same evenings).During a spoken introduction a lady yelled "I did not underrstand vun zingle Vord!"and he gently replied " Sorry ma'm, I do my best but the speech don't come out right". When I stayed with his folks in Fairfax he explained his simple philosophy saying "I love everybody, I really do".I always tell an audience this before playing Boat's up the river
I had the good fortune of seeing Mr Jackson a number of times at the Mariposa Folk Festival in the late 60's. He reminded me of my personal family friend Mr. Bob Hedgeman. I miss them both.
Way back in early 90's, coming back from a play date at a S.C. "Summer Fest" pkg. show, near Greenville. I had an overnight layover in New Orleans, and after visiting the Cafe Dumonde. Was at the Am-Trak station, waiting for a taxi to go back to my room at the Empress, and Mr. Jackson was there, sitting on a bench. I was the only person who recognized him. He is a 100% gentleman of finest order, and probably the nicest person I've ever met! I told him about meeting MS. Precious Bryant, (whom he knew)and the music Foundation buying her a home. I passed up my taxi, to talk to him nearly an hour. It was a real honor.
I met John Jackson in the 1970s when he and Archie Edwards were doing some performances at an Italian Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue in South East Washington DC. They would allow me to perform on part of their sets and encouraged me to keep performing and writing songs. During the 1990s when he was in town, John frequented Tiffany Tavern in Old Town Alexandria, Va, and became a life-long to my Top-Rail Chatter Independent Country Music Magazine.
Thank you for making and putting these on u tube , really enjoying them , I met John Jackson a long time ago and learnt a lot from him , a wonderful gentleman
That was great! Was lucky enough to see/hear John quite a few years at Augusta Heritage Blues Week. If you have trouble with John's "accent," don't bother putting on the CC. Then again, it's hilarious if you're in the right mood.
My grandfather on my mom's side was from just southeast of Rappahannock County in Culpeper, Va and his accent was quite similar to John's. For that reason I can understand him with no problems
Phil, so sad you hadn't heard of the great John Jackson! You've had something definitely missing from your life but I'm glad you've finally discovered him. I had the great pleasure of meeting this lovely gentleman two or three times during 2000 and 2001. Sadly he passed in 2002 and is greatly missed. Not only was he a gentleman but also a very Gentle Man. RIP John.
