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Jazz GILLUM [WILLIAM McKINLEY]
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Born in Indianola,
Mississippi, in 1904, Jazz Gillum was an outstanding harmonica player who
was perhaps only second to (John Lee) Sonny Boy
Williamson in popularity for recording work during the 1920’s and
1930’s. He ran away
from home when aged only seven to live with relatives in
Charleston (Mississippi), and by contemporary accounts he was already
proficient on the harmonica at that age. He then spent the next 10 years
doing odd jobs and unskilled work whilst also playing the street corners and
the local party and picnic circuit. When he was 19 years old he migrated to
Chicago and soon teamed up with Big Bill Broonzy.
He spent the rest of the decade gigging with Broonzy and other local stars
of the time. |