Young Jessie
Encyclopedia
Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie (born December 28, 1936, Lincoln Manor, Dallas, Texas
), is an African American
R&B
and jazz
singer and songwriter
. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs
and a brief stint in The Coasters
. More recently he has performed and recorded jazz as Obie Jessie.
Harris) was very musical, playing piano and other instruments; she had a brief musical career under the name Plunky Harris. On his mother's side of the family, Jessie was also kin to blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson
.
In 1946, he moved with his family to Los Angeles
, where he began studying music, and formed a vocal group, The Debonaires, which also included Richard Berry
. The group recorded Jessie's song, "I Had A Love", in 1953, and the single was released under the name of The Hollywood Blue Jays. They then renamed themselves as The Flairs
, and won a recording contract with Modern Records
. However, in 1954 Jessie signed a solo contract with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
, and began recording as "Young Jessie". He said: "[The name] came about because I sounded like I was forty, like ancient for a boy of 17. I had this deep baritone voice and the Biharis
wanted me to get close to the rock 'n' roll market. I could have called myself Obie Jessie but I didn't want people to think I was old."
In 1955 he wrote and recorded the single "Mary Lou," later covered by Ronnie Hawkins
in 1959, Steve Miller Band
in 1973, Bob Seger
in 1976, Gene Clark
in 1977 and The Oblivians in 1997. In 1956, he released "Hit Git And Split", co-written with Buck Ram
and recorded in New York City
with guitarist Mickey Baker
. He also briefly recorded with The Coasters
in 1957 (including harmony vocals on "Searchin'" and "Young Blood"), and appeared on records by The Crescendos and Johnny Morisette, as well as being a writer for other artists' recordings, including The Chargers and Jimmy Norman. He released the single "Shuffle In the Gravel"/"Make Believe", again produced by Leiber and Stoller, on the Atco
label in 1957.
Jessie then moved on to record jazz for the Capitol
label, novelty records for Mercury
in the early 1960s, and soul ballads for the Vanessa label in 1963, but with little commercial success. He recorded some unreleased material for Jake Porter in the 1960s. He also did an album's worth of songs owned by Harvey Fuqua
in the 1970s that never got released. In 1972, he recorded a single as Obe Jessie & The Seeds Of Freedom for Stone Dogg Records.
He also formed a jazz group, the Obie Jessie Combo, which played club dates, and in 1976 became musical director for Esther Phillips
. In 1982 he toured in Europe and recorded jazz in Germany, and in 1983 performed at an "R & B Jamboree" in London
, where he reportedly "astonished the audience with a charismatic performance." He has also performed with Leon Hughes
' group of The Coasters
. As Obie Jessie, he later released several jazz albums, including What Happened To Jr. (1995), Here's To Life (2002), and New Atmosphere (2009). He also recorded with Atlanta based saxophonist Bob Miles, and performed on the song "People The Time Has Come"
with lyrics by Nadim Sulaiman Ali(http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6890666).
His younger brother DeWayne Jessie
became an actor
, and became well known as Otis Day in the film National Lampoon's Animal House
. Two of Young Jessie's four children sang in a group called Wizdom in the 1980s.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
), is an African American
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...
R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer 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...
. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs
The Flairs
The Flairs were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.-Career:In 1952, an African-American musical group...
and a brief stint in The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
. More recently he has performed and recorded jazz as Obie Jessie.
Biography
Jessie's father was a cook but had no musical background. His mother, Malinda (néeMarried and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Harris) was very musical, playing piano and other instruments; she had a brief musical career under the name Plunky Harris. On his mother's side of the family, Jessie was also kin to blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson
"Blind" Lemon Jefferson was an American blues singer and guitarist from Texas. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been titled "Father of the Texas Blues"....
.
In 1946, he moved with his family to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he began studying music, and formed a vocal group, The Debonaires, which also included Richard Berry
Richard Berry
Richard Berry was an African American singer, songwriter and musician, who performed with many Los Angeles doo-wop and close harmony groups in the 1950s, including The Flairs and The Robins....
. The group recorded Jessie's song, "I Had A Love", in 1953, and the single was released under the name of The Hollywood Blue Jays. They then renamed themselves as The Flairs
The Flairs
The Flairs were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.-Career:In 1952, an African-American musical group...
, and won a recording contract with Modern Records
Modern Records
Modern Records was an American record label formed in 1945 in Los Angeles by the Bihari brothers. In the 1960s, Modern Records went bankrupt and ceased operations, but the catalogue went with the management into what became Kent Records. This back catalogue was eventually licensed to the UK label...
. However, in 1954 Jessie signed a solo contract with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
, and began recording as "Young Jessie". He said: "[The name] came about because I sounded like I was forty, like ancient for a boy of 17. I had this deep baritone voice and the Biharis
Bihari brothers
The Bihari Brothers, Lester, Jules, Saul and Joe, were American music entrepreneurs and the founders of Modern Records in Los Angeles and its subsidiaries such as Meteor Records based in Memphis.-Origins:...
wanted me to get close to the rock 'n' roll market. I could have called myself Obie Jessie but I didn't want people to think I was old."
In 1955 he wrote and recorded the single "Mary Lou," later covered by Ronnie Hawkins
Ronnie Hawkins
Ronald "Ronnie" Hawkins is a Juno Award-winning rockabilly musician whose career has spanned more than half a century. Though his career began in Arkansas, USA, where he'd been born and raised, it was in Ontario, Canada where he found success and settled for most of his life...
in 1959, Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mid-1970s hit singles that are staples of the classic rock radio format.-History:In 1965, Steve Miller and...
in 1973, Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
in 1976, Gene Clark
Gene Clark
Gene Clark, born Harold Eugene Clark was an American singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Byrds....
in 1977 and The Oblivians in 1997. In 1956, he released "Hit Git And Split", co-written with Buck Ram
Buck Ram
Buck Ram was an American songwriter, and popular music producer and arranger.-Biography:...
and recorded in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with guitarist Mickey Baker
Mickey Baker
Mickey Baker, also known as Mickey "Guitar" Baker is an American guitarist...
. He also briefly recorded with The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
in 1957 (including harmony vocals on "Searchin'" and "Young Blood"), and appeared on records by The Crescendos and Johnny Morisette, as well as being a writer for other artists' recordings, including The Chargers and Jimmy Norman. He released the single "Shuffle In the Gravel"/"Make Believe", again produced by Leiber and Stoller, on the Atco
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
label in 1957.
Jessie then moved on to record jazz for the Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
label, novelty records for Mercury
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in the early 1960s, and soul ballads for the Vanessa label in 1963, but with little commercial success. He recorded some unreleased material for Jake Porter in the 1960s. He also did an album's worth of songs owned by Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua
Harvey Fuqua, was an African-American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, record producer, and record label executive.Fuqua founded the seminal R&B/doo-wop group the Moonglows in the 1950s...
in the 1970s that never got released. In 1972, he recorded a single as Obe Jessie & The Seeds Of Freedom for Stone Dogg Records.
He also formed a jazz group, the Obie Jessie Combo, which played club dates, and in 1976 became musical director for Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips was an American singer. Phillips was known for her R&B vocals, but she was a versatile singer, also performing pop, country, jazz, blues and soul music.-Early life:...
. In 1982 he toured in Europe and recorded jazz in Germany, and in 1983 performed at an "R & B Jamboree" in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he reportedly "astonished the audience with a charismatic performance." He has also performed with Leon Hughes
Leon Hughes
Leon Hughes is an American singer. He is best known as an original member of The Coasters.-Biography:...
' group of The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
. As Obie Jessie, he later released several jazz albums, including What Happened To Jr. (1995), Here's To Life (2002), and New Atmosphere (2009). He also recorded with Atlanta based saxophonist Bob Miles, and performed on the song "People The Time Has Come"
with lyrics by Nadim Sulaiman Ali(http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6890666).
His younger brother DeWayne Jessie
DeWayne Jessie
DeWayne Jessie is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Otis Day in National Lampoon's Animal House. In the movie, the songs "Shama Lama Ding Dong" and "Shout" were sung by Lloyd Williams and lip-synched by Jessie...
became an actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, and became well known as Otis Day in the film National Lampoon's Animal House
National Lampoon's Animal House
National Lampoon's Animal House is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. The film was a direct spin-off of National Lampoon magazine...
. Two of Young Jessie's four children sang in a group called Wizdom in the 1980s.
Singles
- "I Smell A Rat" / "Lonesome Desert" (Modern) (January 1954)
- "Mary Lou" / "Don't Think I Will" (Modern #961) (June 1955)
- "Nothing Seems Right" / "Do You Love Me" (Modern #963) (November 1955)
- "Hot Dog (Modern)" (unreleased) (1956) (recorded this before Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
) - "Hit Git And Split" / "It Don't Happen No More" (Modern #1002) (September 1956)
- "Oochie Coochie" / "Here Comes Henry" (Modern #1010) (December 1956)
- "Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (Atco #6101, 1957)
- "Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (UK London HLE #8544, 1958)
- "Margie" / "That's Enough For Me" (Atlantic #2003) (1958)
- "Shuffle In The Gravel" / "Make Believe" (Atco #6101) (1958)
- "Lulu Belle" / "The Wrong Door" (Capitol #4318) (1959)
- "Teacher, Gimme Back" / "My Country Cousin" (Mercury #71895) (1961)
- "Be Bop Country Boy" / "Big Chief" (Mercury #71985) (1962)
- "I’m A Lovin' Man" / "Too Fine For Cryin'2 (Mercury #72104) (1963)
- "Mary Lou" / "You Were Meant For Me" (Mercury #72146) (1963)
- "Make Me Feel A Little Good" / "Brown Eyes" (Vanessa) (1963)
- "Young Jessie’s Bossanova Part 1" / "Part 2" (Bit #7464) (1964)
- "Who's The Blame" / "Beautiful Day My Brother" (Stone Dogg #801) (1972) (released as Obe Jessie & The Seeds Of Freedom)
Albums
- Chuck Jackson And Young Jessie (Crown) (1963)
- R & B Jamboree (Ace) (1983)
- Hit Git And Split (Ace) (1985)
- Shuffle In The Gravel (Mr. R&B #1004) (1987) (released in Sweden)
- Shufflin And Jivin (Ace) (1987)
- I’m Gone (Ace) (1995)
As Obie Jessie
- What Happened To Jr. (Solar #72597) (1995)
- Here’s To Life (Jazz Family #101) (2002)
- New Atmosphere (Jazz Family ) (2009)
External links
- Obie Jessie - MySpace Page
- Young Jessie discography
- The Coasters Web Site
- Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Flairs
- [ Allmusic - Young Jessie]
- [ Allmusic - Obie Jessie]