Papa Charlie Jackson

Papa Charlie Jackson (c.1890-1938) was an early American bluesman. He played a hybrid banjo-guitar and ukulele, recording beginning in 1924. Much of his life remains a mystery, but it is probable that he was born in New Orleans, Louisiana

Papa Charlie Jackson (c.1890-1938) was an early American bluesman. He played a hybrid banjo-guitar and ukulele, recording beginning in 1924. Much of his life remains a mystery, but it is probable that he was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and died in Chicago, Illinois in 1938.

Originally performing in minstrel and medicine shows, Jackson was playing all around Chicago in the early 1920s, soon recording "Papa's Lawdy Lawdy Blues" and "Airy Man Blues", the first recordings by a male singer of the blues. One of his following tracks, "Salty Dog Blues", became perhaps his most famous song. He soon began cutting records with Ida Cox, Hattie McDaniel and Ma Rainey.