John Jackson: An American Songster Tapes

John Jackson (1924-2002) was a Piedmont blues guitarist, songster, and fixture of the 1960s folk revival. Born into a large family of tenant farmers in Rappahannock County, Virginia, Jackson taught himself guitar by listening to the 78 rpm records of Blind Blake, Mississippi John Hurt, Jimmie Rodgers, and other early recording artists. His music was also influenced by the house parties, dances, and church meetings of his childhood. 

Jackson was working as a gravedigger and caretaker at a cemetery in Fairfax Station, Virginia, when he was “discovered” by folklorist Chuck Perdue in the early 1960s. In 1965, he recorded his first LP for Arhoolie Records, Blues and Country Dance Tunes from Virginia. He subsequently enjoyed a long career as a recording and touring artist, and in 1986 was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship. 

This collection comprises audio recordings made during the production of the 1986 short documentary John Jackson: An American Songster by Renato Tonelli. Contents are 1/4" reel-to-reel tapes recorded in the mid-to-late 1970's on a Nagra sound recorder. The recordings were produced mostly at Jackson’s house in Fairfax Station, Virginia, with some live performances in Atlanta and the Clearwater Revival Music Festival in New York.

Donated by Renato Tonelli, 2025. 

Photo: Still of John Jackson from the film.