Jaybird
Coleman was not one of the early blues heavyweights. Nevertheless he
was an accomplished guitarist and harmonica player who belonged to a group
of performers, many unknown, who made up the foundation of rural blues. Born
Burl Coleman
in Gainesville, Alabama, in 1896, to a family of sharecroppers, Coleman
spent his early years working on the land whilst teaching himself harmonica
and guitar. He began by busking at parties and picnics but this career was
interrupted in 1917 by service in the American Army during the First World
War when he picked up his Jaybird nickname. After he left the Army he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked
the streets, brothels and juke joints. During the early 1920’s he often made
guest appearances with the Birmingham Jug Band, and in fact they supported
him on a few of the small number of recordings he made. The last of these
was in 1930 after which Coleman went back to the Alabama street corners and
bars where he spent most of his performing career. His performances tailed
off during the 1940’s and Jaybird Coleman died in 1950 aged 53.
