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{{Short description|American pianist and composer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jimmy Blythe
| image =
| name = Jimmy Blythe
⚫
| birth_name = James Louis Blythe
| caption =
| image_size =
| alias = Duke Owens, George Jefferson
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1901|5|20}}
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
⚫
| birth_place = [[Keene, Kentucky|South Keene, Kentucky]], United States
⚫
| birth_name = James Louis Blythe
⚫
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1931|6|14|1901|5|20}}
| alias = Duke Owens, George Jefferson
| birth_date = May 20, 1901
| genre = [[Jazz]], [[boogie-woogie]]
⚫
| occupation = Musician, composer
⚫
| birth_place = [[Keene, Kentucky|South Keene, Kentucky]], United States
⚫
| instrument = Piano
⚫
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1931|6|14|1901|5|20}}
| origin =
⚫
| instrument = Piano
| genre = [[Jazz]], [[boogie-woogie]]
⚫
| occupation = Musician, composer
| years_active =
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}


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==Biography==
==Biography==
Blythe was born in [[Keene, Kentucky|South Keene, Kentucky]] to former slaves turned-[[sharecroppers]] Richard and Rena Blythe. He was the youngest of five children to survive birth, and initially had become interested in the piano after observing local [[ragtime]] players.<ref name=mecc>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagosouthsidepiano.com/mecca-flat-blues-the-story-of-jimmy-blythe/|title=Mecca Flat Blues - The Jimmy Blythe Story|work=chicagosouthsidepiano.com|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}</ref> In 1917, Jimmy Blythe moved to [[Chicago, Illinois]] where he worked in the Mavis Talcum Powder Company, and studied the rudiments of piano playing under the tutelage of orchestra leader Clarence M. Jones, who found some success as an arranger. Though Blythe's life between 1919 and 1922 is obscured, it is speculated that he began preparing compositions in Jones's recording studio and performed at nearby music clubs.<ref name=around>{{cite web|title=''Messin' Around Blues'' (CD booklet)|year=2007|author=Koester, Bob|publisher=Delmark Records}}</ref>
Blythe was born in [[Keene, Kentucky|South Keene, Kentucky]], to former slaves turned-[[sharecroppers]] Richard and Rena Blythe. He was the youngest of five children to survive birth and became interested in the piano after observing local [[ragtime]] players.<ref name=mecc>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagosouthsidepiano.com/mecca-flat-blues-the-story-of-jimmy-blythe/|title=Mecca Flat Blues - The Jimmy Blythe Story|website=Chicagosouthsidepiano.com|access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref> In 1917, he moved to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], where he worked in the Mavis Talcum Powder Company and studied the rudiments of piano, playing under the tutelage of orchestra leader [[Clarence M. Jones]], who found some success as an arranger. Although Blythe's life between 1919 and 1922 is obscured, it is speculated that he began preparing compositions in Jones's recording studio and performed at nearby music clubs.<ref name=around>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Messin' Around Blues|others=Jimmy Blythe |year=2007 |first=Bob |last=Koester |type=booklet |publisher=Delmark Records}}</ref>


In early 1922, Blythe was hired by the Columbia Music Roll Company to record [[piano rolls]] that were home-accessible and featured in early [[nickelodeon (movie theater)|nickelodeons]]. Modeling some of his style after the teachings of Jones, Blythe applied an increasingly popular [[octave]] and [[boogie-woogie|boogie]] bass, along with signature rhythmic [[break (music)|breaks]], to as many as 300 credited recordings for Columbia and later Capitol, when the company was reorganized in 1924.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redhotjazz.com/blythe.html|title=James "Jimmy" Blythe|work=redhotjazz.com|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}</ref> In spite of the limitations of piano rolls, writer Bill Edwards remarks that Blythe "was able to take simple popular songs and create an engaging performance from them in short order. Many of these were taken from the simple sheet music and expanded to include [[blues]] riffs, stride or boogie-woogie bass, and even pseudo-novelty figures. Musicians around Chicago and beyond worked to emulate his engaging style as his fame grew".<ref name=rag>{{cite web|url=http://ragpiano.com/comps/jblythe.shtml|title=James Louis (Jimmy) Blythe|work=ragpiano.com|author=Edwards, Bill|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}</ref>
In early 1922, Blythe was hired by the Columbia Music Roll Company to record [[piano rolls]] that were accessible at home and early [[nickelodeon (movie theater)|nickelodeons]]. Modeling some of his style after the teachings of Jones, he applied an increasingly popular [[octave]] and [[boogie-woogie|boogie]] bass, with signature rhythmic [[break (music)|breaks]], to credited recordings for Columbia and, later the Capitol Music Roll Company of Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://syncopatedtimes.com/jimmy-blythe-1901-1931/|title=Jimmy Blythe (1901-1931)|work=Red Hot Jazz Archive|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Writer Bill Edwards remarks that, despite the limitations of piano rolls, Blythe "was able to take simple popular songs and create an engaging performance from them in short order. Many of these were taken from the simple sheet music and expanded to include blues riffs, stride or boogie-woogie bass, and even pseudo-novelty figures. Musicians around Chicago and beyond worked to emulate his engaging style as his fame grew".<ref name=rag>{{cite web|url=http://ragpiano.com/comps/jblythe.shtml|title=James Louis (Jimmy) Blythe|work=ragpiano.com|author=Edwards, Bill|access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref>


In April 1924, Blythe entered the recording studio with fellow musician and co-writer Alex J. Robinson to cut sides for [[Paramount Records]]. One of the songs, "Chicago Stomp", became Blythe's best-known recording, and made him the earliest boogie-woogie piano player to be captured on record. It has also been suggested that his 1925 recording of "Jimmie Blues" influenced the work of [[Clarence "Pine Top" Smith]] and [[Albert Ammons]].<ref name=rag/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-blythe-mn0000349354/biography|title=Jimmy Blythe - Biography|work=allmusic.com|author=Yanow, Scott|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}</ref> Over the ensuing years, Blythe recorded with his own studio-only groups including Blythe's Sinful Five, Jimmy Blythe and his Ragamuffins, and Blythe's Washboard Band, among others, which usually featured clarinetist [[Jimmy O'Bryant]]. In addition, Blythe accompanied recording sessions by [[Johnny Dodds]], [[Ma Rainey]], and [[Jimmy Bertrand]], and made duets with [[Buddy Burton]] and Charlie Clark. In some instances when he penned songs with Robinson and other musicians such as [[Trixie Smith]], Blythe used the pseudonyms '''Duke Owens''' and '''George Jefferson'''.<ref name=around/>
In April 1924, Blythe entered the recording studio with co-writer Alex J. Robinson to record for [[Paramount Records]]. One of the songs, "Chicago Stomp", became Blythe's most popular recording and made him the earliest boogie-woogie pianist to be recorded. It has also been suggested that his 1925 recording of "Jimmie Blues" influenced the work of [[Clarence "Pine Top" Smith]] and [[Albert Ammons]].<ref name=rag/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-blythe-mn0000349354/biography|title=Jimmy Blythe - Biography|work=allmusic.com|author=Yanow, Scott|access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref> Blythe recorded with his own studio groups, including Blythe's Sinful Five, Jimmy Blythe and his Ragamuffins, and Blythe's Washboard Band, which usually featured clarinetist [[Jimmy O'Bryant]]. He accompanied recording sessions by [[Johnny Dodds]], [[Ma Rainey]], and [[Jimmy Bertrand]], and made duets with [[Buddy Burton]] and Charlie Clark. In some instances when he penned songs with Robinson and other musicians such as [[Trixie Smith]], he used the pseudonyms "Duke Owens" and "George Jefferson".<ref name=around/>


In 1930, Blythe substantially decreased his recording activity, appearing on just two sides of Robinson's group, Knights of Rest. He was living with his sister and her husband when Blythe contracted [[meningitis]]. Blythe died on June 14, 1931 at age 30. Since his death, nearly all of Blythe's recordings have been made available through CD reissues.<ref name=mecc/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagosouthsidepiano.com/jimmy-blythe-discography/|title=Jimmy Blythe Discography|work=chicagosouthsidepiano.com|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}</ref>
In 1930, Blythe substantially decreased his recording activity, appearing on two sides of Robinson's group, Knights of Rest. He was living with his sister and her husband when Blythe contracted [[meningitis]]. Blythe died on June 14, 1931, aged 30. In November 2021, the Killer Blues Headstone Project placed a headstone for him in Beverly Cemetery in Chicago.<ref name=mecc/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagosouthsidepiano.com/jimmy-blythe-discography/|title=Jimmy Blythe Discography|website=Chicagosouthsidepiano.com|access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{Discogs artist|Jimmy Blythe}}
* {{Discogs artist|Jimmy Blythe}}
* [https://syncopatedtimes.com/jimmy-blythe-1901-1931/ Jimmy Blythe (1901-1931)] at the Red Hot Jazz Archive


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1931 deaths]]
[[Category:1931 deaths]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American male jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Boogie-woogie pianists]]
[[Category:Boogie-woogie pianists]]
[[Category:Deaths from meningitis]]
[[Category:Deaths from meningitis]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in Illinois]]
[[Category:Infectious disease deaths in Illinois]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Kentucky]]
[[Category:People from Jessamine County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:People from Jessamine County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]

Latest revision as of 08:42, 11 April 2024

Jimmy Blythe
Birth nameJames Louis Blythe
Also known asDuke Owens, George Jefferson
Born(1901-05-20)May 20, 1901
South Keene, Kentucky, United States
DiedJune 14, 1931(1931-06-14) (aged 30)
GenresJazz, boogie-woogie
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentPiano

James Louis Blythe (May 20, 1901 – June 14, 1931) was an American jazz and boogie-woogie pianist and composer. Blythe is known to have recorded as many as 300 piano rolls, and his song "Chicago Stomp" is considered one of the earliest examples of boogie-woogie music to be recorded.

Biography

[edit]

Blythe was born in South Keene, Kentucky, to former slaves turned-sharecroppers Richard and Rena Blythe. He was the youngest of five children to survive birth and became interested in the piano after observing local ragtime players.[1] In 1917, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked in the Mavis Talcum Powder Company and studied the rudiments of piano, playing under the tutelage of orchestra leader Clarence M. Jones, who found some success as an arranger. Although Blythe's life between 1919 and 1922 is obscured, it is speculated that he began preparing compositions in Jones's recording studio and performed at nearby music clubs.[2]

In early 1922, Blythe was hired by the Columbia Music Roll Company to record piano rolls that were accessible at home and early nickelodeons. Modeling some of his style after the teachings of Jones, he applied an increasingly popular octave and boogie bass, with signature rhythmic breaks, to credited recordings for Columbia and, later the Capitol Music Roll Company of Chicago.[3] Writer Bill Edwards remarks that, despite the limitations of piano rolls, Blythe "was able to take simple popular songs and create an engaging performance from them in short order. Many of these were taken from the simple sheet music and expanded to include blues riffs, stride or boogie-woogie bass, and even pseudo-novelty figures. Musicians around Chicago and beyond worked to emulate his engaging style as his fame grew".[4]

In April 1924, Blythe entered the recording studio with co-writer Alex J. Robinson to record for Paramount Records. One of the songs, "Chicago Stomp", became Blythe's most popular recording and made him the earliest boogie-woogie pianist to be recorded. It has also been suggested that his 1925 recording of "Jimmie Blues" influenced the work of Clarence "Pine Top" Smith and Albert Ammons.[4][5] Blythe recorded with his own studio groups, including Blythe's Sinful Five, Jimmy Blythe and his Ragamuffins, and Blythe's Washboard Band, which usually featured clarinetist Jimmy O'Bryant. He accompanied recording sessions by Johnny Dodds, Ma Rainey, and Jimmy Bertrand, and made duets with Buddy Burton and Charlie Clark. In some instances when he penned songs with Robinson and other musicians such as Trixie Smith, he used the pseudonyms "Duke Owens" and "George Jefferson".[2]

In 1930, Blythe substantially decreased his recording activity, appearing on two sides of Robinson's group, Knights of Rest. He was living with his sister and her husband when Blythe contracted meningitis. Blythe died on June 14, 1931, aged 30. In November 2021, the Killer Blues Headstone Project placed a headstone for him in Beverly Cemetery in Chicago.[1][6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Mecca Flat Blues - The Jimmy Blythe Story". Chicagosouthsidepiano.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Koester, Bob (2007). Messin' Around Blues (booklet). Jimmy Blythe. Delmark Records.
  3. ^ "Jimmy Blythe (1901-1931)". Red Hot Jazz Archive. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Edwards, Bill. "James Louis (Jimmy) Blythe". ragpiano.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  5. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Jimmy Blythe - Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jimmy Blythe Discography". Chicagosouthsidepiano.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
[edit]
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