Jabo Williams
Encyclopedia
Jabo Williams was an African American
boogie-woogie
and blues
pianist
and songwriter
. His total recorded output was a mere eight sides, which included his two best-known "stunningly primitive" offerings, "Pratt City Blues" and Jab's Blues" (1932). Details of his life outside of music are scanty.
, United States
. However, this is based purely on references to that location, in his self-penned recording
of "Pratt City Blues". What is certain is that he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri
, and was recommended to Paramount Records
, by a local record store owner and scout Jesse Johnson. In May 1932, Williams recorded eight tracks in a recording studio
in Grafton, Wisconsin
, for the Paramount label. The timing was not fortuitous, as Paramount stopped recording that year, and went out of business in 1935. Consequently, Williams's output was limited in both national distribution and the number of issued records
. His "Kokomo Blues," followed previous recordings of a similar style with the same refrain
, but included the counting line;
".
By the late 1940s and early 1950s, some of Williams tracks were re-issued on the American Music
record label
, amongst others. His playing style was somewhat unique, but such belated recognition failed to unearth Williams, whose life details remain a mystery.
He was recalled briefly by Henry Townsend
, who stated "I knew him from down on Biddle Street and I played guitar behind him around town". He added that Williams was "an average guy and he was very entertaining... he disappeared from St. Louis and went down in Arkansas some place. I never knew what the hell happened to him."
, Boogie Woogie & Barrelhouse Piano, Vol. 1 (1928-1932), issued in 1992 by Document Records
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie has the following meanings:*Boogie-woogie, a piano-based music style*Boogie-woogie , a swing dance or a dance that imitates the rock-n-roll dance of the 1950s*"Boogie Woogie" , a song by EuroGroove and Dannii Minogue...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. His total recorded output was a mere eight sides, which included his two best-known "stunningly primitive" offerings, "Pratt City Blues" and Jab's Blues" (1932). Details of his life outside of music are scanty.
Career
It is generally supposed that Williams was born in Pratt City, Birmingham, AlabamaAlabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, this is based purely on references to that location, in his self-penned recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
of "Pratt City Blues". What is certain is that he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, and was recommended to Paramount Records
Paramount Records
Paramount Records was an American record label, best known for its recordings of African-American jazz and blues in the 1920s and early 1930s, including such artists as Ma Rainey and Blind Lemon Jefferson.-Early years:...
, by a local record store owner and scout Jesse Johnson. In May 1932, Williams recorded eight tracks in a recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
in Grafton, Wisconsin
Grafton, Wisconsin
Grafton is a village in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,312 at the 2000 census. The village is adjacent to the Town of Grafton and the City of Cedarburg.-History:...
, for the Paramount label. The timing was not fortuitous, as Paramount stopped recording that year, and went out of business in 1935. Consequently, Williams's output was limited in both national distribution and the number of issued records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. His "Kokomo Blues," followed previous recordings of a similar style with the same refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
, but included the counting line;
One and two is three, four and five and sixThis partly paved the way towards the better known song, "Sweet Home Chicago
Sweet Home Chicago
"Sweet Home Chicago" is a popular blues standard in the twelve bar form. It was first recorded and is credited to have been written by Robert Johnson...
".
By the late 1940s and early 1950s, some of Williams tracks were re-issued on the American Music
American Music Records
American Music Records is a United States-based record label specializing in traditional New Orleans jazz.The label was founded by William Russell in 1944, who ran the label almost entirely by himself for most of his life...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, amongst others. His playing style was somewhat unique, but such belated recognition failed to unearth Williams, whose life details remain a mystery.
He was recalled briefly by Henry Townsend
Henry Townsend
Henry Townsend may refer to:*Henry Townsend , early American colonist born in Norwich, Norfolk, England*Henry Townsend , American colonist born in Oyster Bay...
, who stated "I knew him from down on Biddle Street and I played guitar behind him around town". He added that Williams was "an average guy and he was very entertaining... he disappeared from St. Louis and went down in Arkansas some place. I never knew what the hell happened to him."
Discography
His total output consisted of the tracks, "Barrelhouse Woman Blues", "Fat Mama Blues", "House Lady Blues", "Jab's Blues", "Kokomo Blues", "My Woman Blues", "Polock Blues", and "Pratt City Blues". All, except the first title listed, were included on the compilation albumCompilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, Boogie Woogie & Barrelhouse Piano, Vol. 1 (1928-1932), issued in 1992 by Document Records
Document Records
Document Records is a British record label that specializes in early American blues, bluegrass, gospel, spirituals jazz, and other rural American genres , generally made between 1900 and 1945...
.