Bill Text: MS SC537 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize legendary Bluesman Jesse Robinson of Jackson, Mississippi.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC537 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC537-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Burton, Butler (38th), Gandy, Hill, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 537
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING LEGENDARY BLUESMAN JESSE ROBINSON OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, "All my guitars have something to say. They speak to me," says legendary Bluesman Jesse Robinson of Jackson, Mississippi, whose skills have been praised by blues icons B.B. King, Little Milton Campbell and Bobby Rush. Many consider Jesse the greatest guitar player in Mississippi. Robinson's name isn't among the famed, but his blues tell a story just the same; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Robinson has been playing blues and jazz for over four decades. Born in Benton and raised in Mileston, Mississippi, Robinson was "the seventh son, thirteenth child, baby boy, and a preacher's son." He first picked up the guitar at age six, and was soon backing his father at church. As a young boy, Jesse also worked on the family farm picking cotton and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1960s, Jesse moved with his family to Jackson, and at age 16 began attending blues legend Elmore James' regular gigs at Percy Simpson's Club. When James took a break, he would often hand Jesse his guitar and tell people, "This little guy's gonna be a good guitar player one day." Jesse was soon playing jazz and blues around Jackson with bands led by Sam Myers, the Holly Brothers, Jimmy King, Duke Huddleston and Joe Dyson. He participated in talent shows at the Alamo Theatre on Farish Street and also played at clubs around town with his own band; and
WHEREAS, in 1965, Jesse moved to Chicago, where he worked as a foreman at a television factory and performed on the weekends with his own band. He also sat in with blues greats, including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Freddie King and Magic Sam. In 1971, Jesse moved back to Jackson and led his band seven nights a week at the Avalon Court on Highway 49. In 1978, Jesse began hosting "Blue Mondays" at Dorsey's and brought in guests, including Z.Z. Hill. It was at Dorsey's where Jesse met Little Milton Campbell, with whom he performed from 1979 to 1981; and
WHEREAS, from 1981 to 1986, Jesse worked as the bandleader for Blues singer Bobby Rush, and played guitar on Rush's hit album Sue. In 1987, Jesse started the late night weekend blues tradition at the Subway Lounge, and played there for three years with his Knee Deep Band featuring vocalist "Big Daddy," aka "500 Pounds of Blues." Jesse was featured in the 2003 documentary film about the Subway Lounge Last of the Mississippi Jukes; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Jesse established the popular "Blue Monday" series at Fields Cafe on Farish Street, which drew hundreds of attendees. Since the mid-90s, Jesse has worked widely as a solo performer at private functions. He had a several-year engagement at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and revived the live music tradition on Farish Street through a regular Thursday lunchtime show at Peaches Restaurant; and
WHEREAS, Jesse has performed for the Mississippi Economic Development Authority at trade fairs across the country and at the Mississippi Picnic in New York City's Central Park. He has guest lectured on the blues at Mississippi State University and Millsaps College, and worked with various "blues in the schools" programs; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, a song Jesse co-wrote with Jazz Singer Cassandra Wilson appeared on her CD Belly of the Sun. In tandem with his 60th birthday in 2004, Jesse released his first CD, Blues Child, and later that year released a Christmas album; and
WHEREAS, Malcolm White, Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, says "Jesse is a working-class hero. Always available. Always willing. Always sitting on 'go.'" He serves on the Mississippi Blues Commission and is the first to sign up for civic or social causes; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this leading force of Jackson blues and jazz who has served with distinction as an unofficial Ambassador for the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute legendary Bluesman Jesse Robinson of Jackson, Mississippi, for his legacy of music and community service, and extend our best wishes for his future contributions to blues and jazz.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jesse Robinson, forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
