Skip James | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Nehemiah Curtis James |
| Born | June 21, 1902 Bentonia, Mississippi, USA |
| Died | October 3, 1969 (aged 67) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Genres | Delta blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Years active | 1931 1964 - 1969 |
| Labels | Paramount, Vanguard, Biograph, Adelphi, Document, Snapper Music Group, Universe, Body & Soul, Yazoo, Genes |
Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James (June 9, 1902 – October 3, 1969) was an American Delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter.
James was born near Bentonia, Mississippi. He worked on road construction in the early 1920s, and wrote his earliest song, "Illinois Blues", about his experience as a worker. He began playing guitar in open D-minor tuning with three fingers.
Skip James traveled to Grafton, Wisconsin to record for Paramount. James recorded blues and spirituals and cover versions of other songs.
The Great Depression happened just as James' records were put on the market. Not many people bought them because of this and James had to give up Blues music and worked in a church with his father.
For the next thirty years, James did not record any songs. In July 1964, James started playing again and he recorded for the Takoma, Melodeon, and Vanguard labels and played until his death in 1969.
Paramount 78s: 1931
After the depression: 1964-1969