James, Skip, 1902-1969
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Information for Authority record
- African American National Biography, accessed February 16, 2014, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(James, Skip; Nehemiah James; blues musician / singer, pianist, guitarist, bootlegger, music educator, miner, baptist clergy; born 21 June 1902 near Bentonia, Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States; attended St. Paul School and Yazoo High School; pianist Will Crabtree introduced him to public performance; worked at house parties and juke joints with his guitar mentor, Henry Stuckey; settled in Jackson, Mississippi, where he played the streets as a solo musician (1931); auditioned for H. C. Speir, a Paramount Records scout, and signed a two year contract (1931); worked with the Texas Jubilee Singers, a Dallas-based gospel group (by 1932); ordained in both the Methodist and Baptist churches; inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame (1992); died 03 October 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States)
- His The complete 1931 session [SR] 1986:label (Skip James, blues singer/guitarist/pianist) container (b. 1902 in Yazoo City; d. 1969 in Philadelphia)
- His Complete recordings in chronological order (1931) [SR] p1982:label (Skip James; Nehemiah James)
- phone call to folk music collector, Charles Perdue, April 17, 2008:(Neamiah Jim; another name for blues performer Skip James)
Wikipedia description:
Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James (June 9, 1902 – October 3, 1969) was an American Delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter. AllMusic stated: "Coupling an oddball guitar tuning set against eerie, falsetto vocals, James' early recordings could make the hair stand up on the back of your neck." His guitar playing is noted for its dark, minor-key sound, played in an open D-minor tuning with an intricate fingerpicking technique. James first recorded for Paramount Records in 1931, but these recordings sold poorly, having been released during the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity. After a long absence from the public eye, James was rediscovered in 1964 by blues enthusiasts including John Fahey, helping further the blues and folk music revival of the 1950s and early 1960s. During this period, James appeared at folk and blues festivals, gave concerts around the country, and recorded several albums for various record labels. His songs have influenced generations of musicians and have been adapted by numerous artists. He has been hailed as "one of the seminal figures of the blues".
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