J.D. Short

J. D. Short (December 26, 1902 – October 21, 1962)

Short was born in Port Gibson, Mississippi. He was a cousin of Big Joe Williams and David "Honeyboy" Edwards.^[3] He learned to play the piano and the guitar at an early age. He later mastered the harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, and drums. He performed locally in the Mississippi Delta at house parties. In 1923, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri.^[2][6]

Short went on to play with the Neckbones, Henry Spaulding, Honeyboy Edwards, Douglas Williams, and his cousin, Big Joe Williams.^[7] In the 1930s, he recorded for Vocalion Records.^[1] The musician Henry Townsend, in his autobiography, A Blues Life, told of an incident in St. Louis in which, seemingly out of jealousy of Townsend's musical standing, Short attacked and stabbed him twice. Later, by way of revenge, Townsend shot Short in the genitals, destroying Short's testicles.^[8] The account was also mentioned in Townsend's obituary in The Guardian.^[9] Short continued performing in St. Louis after World War II, often as a one-man band and sometimes with his cousin, Big Joe Williams.^[6]

Short disappeared from the

He died of a heart attack in October 1962, at the age of 59, in St. Louis.[3]

Discography

Compilations

• Stavin' Chain Blues, with Big Joe Williams (1961, Delmark Records)
• Blues from the Mississippi Delta, with Son House (1963, Folkways Records)^[1]
• Legacy of the Blues Vol. 8 (Sonet 648), 1973, recorded in St. Louis, July 1962

See also

• List of country blues musicians
• List of Delta blues musicians
• List of Memphis blues musicians

References