I am so very sorry to learn of this loss. I would say that Jessy was
one of a kind, but I was once blessed to hear a guest performance by
his mother, and it was clear to everyone that his special style was
faithful to its' roots. This world is certainly poorer for his
passing, but richer for having enjoyed such a gifted performer. I
will pray for all in his family to know that special comfort that only
the Lord can provide.
Is there an online obituary out there anywhere?
Pastor Dan, when I read your fine post I decieded to see what I could
find about Jessy Dixon's death, and below is what I found.
Jessy Dixon Obituary 3/12/1938 - 9/26/2011| Visit Guest Book
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Enlarged Photo CHICAGO (AP) - Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter
who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences
by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday. He was
73.
Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home.
She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.
During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several
popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy
Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie
Cole and Amy Grant.
But it was for his gospel singing - religious music that combined the
rhythmic beat of blues, jazz and soul - that Dixon first gained
attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in
1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Dixon first came to Simon's
attention. For the next eight years, Dixon toured with the pop icon,
collaborating on Simon's 'Live Rhymin' Simon' and 'Stil l Crazy'
albums.
Dixon also played keyboard with Earth Wind and Fire and guitarist
Phillip Upchurch.
Dixon, who began studying music at age 5, aspired to be classical
pianist but told The Associated Press in a 1997 interview that he
always knew his talent was destined for use in the church.
Born March 12, 1938, in San Antonio, Dixon's professional compass was
set by gospel music legend James Cleveland, who heard Dixon's teen
group perform at a theatre in the south Texas city. Dixon said
Cleveland liked the group, but he liked Dixon more and persuaded him
to move to Chicago to join his group, the Gospel Chimes, as both a
singer and pianist.
Chicago's South Side was the place to be for a gospel musician,
especially in the early 1960s.
"Going to church was like going to school," Dixon said. At church, he
heard the likes of Mahalia Jackson and blues pioneer Thomas A. Dorsey,
who is credited with creating modern gospel singing.
"Reading his (Dor sey's) music and studying it, he was the one who
wrote for Tennessee Ernie Ford, Elvis Presley and Pat Boone," Dixon
said. "All these people were singing his music and were making it
commercial."
Dixon credited the creativity of artists like percussionist Maurice
White and blues singer Willie Dixon, no relation, inspired him to
compose. He started with choral music for Chicago's Thompson Community
Singers, for which he sat at the keyboards. Several of his early songs
have become classics, sung in churches across America, including: "Sit
At His Feet and be Blessed," ''These Old Heavy Burdens" and "I Love to
Praise His Name."
His more recent compositions gained him even wider acceptance. Dixon's
"I Am Redeemed," released in 1993, lingered on Billboard magazine's
gospel chart for more than five years.
After his stint with Simon ended, Dixon rode a wave of increased
gospel music interest during the 1980s to build a following in Europe.
During his 1997 inte rview, Dixon noted that when he first began
touring on his own outside the United States in the 1980s, the small
audiences didn't have much respect for gospel as religious expression.
"At first it was viewed as entertainment," he said. "But now when I
go, they ask me to share my faith as a Christian."
In the United States, Dixon was a long-time fixture on composer and
singer Bill Gaither's Gospel Series, video concert broadcast on
religious oriented cable television stations.
During his career, Dixon was able to produce five gold records and
garner several Grammy nominations.
Dixon, is survived by a brother and sister.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
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Enlarged Photo CHICAGO (AP) - Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter
who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences
by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday. He was
73.
Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home.
She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.
During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several
popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy
Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie
Cole and Amy Grant.
But it was for his gospel singing - religious music that combined the
rhythmic beat of blues, jazz and soul - that Dixon first gained
attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in
1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Dixon first came to Simon's
attention. For the next eight years, Dixon toured with the pop icon,
collaborating on Simon's 'Live Rhymin' Simon' and 'Stil l Crazy'
albums.
Dixon also played keyboard with Earth Wind and Fire and guitarist
Phillip Upchurch.
Dixon, who began studying music at age 5, aspired to be classical
pianist but told The Associated Press in a 1997 interview that he
always knew his talent was destined for use in the church.
Born March 12, 1938, in San Antonio, Dixon's professional compass was
set by gospel music legend James Cleveland, who heard Dixon's teen
group perform at a theatre in the south Texas city. Dixon said
Cleveland liked the group, but he liked Dixon more and persuaded him
to move to Chicago to join his group, the Gospel Chimes, as both a
singer and pianist.
Chicago's South Side was the place to be for a gospel musician,
especially in the early 1960s.
"Going to church was like going to school," Dixon said. At church, he
heard the likes of Mahalia Jackson and blues pioneer Thomas A. Dorsey,
who is credited with creating modern gospel singing.
"Reading his (Dor sey's) music and studying it, he was the one who
wrote for Tennessee Ernie Ford, Elvis Presley and Pat Boone," Dixon
said. "All these people were singing his music and were making it
commercial."
Dixon credited the creativity of artists like percussionist Maurice
White and blues singer Willie Dixon, no relation, inspired him to
compose. He started with choral music for Chicago's Thompson Community
Singers, for which he sat at the keyboards. Several of his early songs
have become classics, sung in churches across America, including: "Sit
At His Feet and be Blessed," ''These Old Heavy Burdens" and "I Love to
Praise His Name."
His more recent compositions gained him even wider acceptance. Dixon's
"I Am Redeemed," released in 1993, lingered on Billboard magazine's
gospel chart for more than five years.
After his stint with Simon ended, Dixon rode a wave of increased
gospel music interest during the 1980s to build a following in Europe.
During his 1997 inte rview, Dixon noted that when he first began
touring on his own outside the United States in the 1980s, the small
audiences didn't have much respect for gospel as religious expression.
"At first it was viewed as entertainment," he said. "But now when I
go, they ask me to share my faith as a Christian."
In the United States, Dixon was a long-time fixture on composer and
singer Bill Gaither's Gospel Series, video concert broadcast on
religious oriented cable television stations.
During his career, Dixon was able to produce five gold records and
garner several Grammy nominations.
Dixon, is survived by a brother and sister.