Luke Jordan
Luke Jordan | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | January 28, 1892[2] or November 1893[3] Lynchburg, Virginia or Bluefield, West Virginia or Appomattox County, Virginia, United States |
Died | June 25, 1952 (aged 58 or 60) Lynchburg, Virginia, United States |
Genres | Blues |
Instrument(s) |
|
Years active | 1920s - 1939 or 1940s Victor Records |
Luke Jordan (January 28, 1892 or November 1893 – June 25, 1952) was an American
Biography
Sources conflict on Jordan's birthplace. Some sources list his birthplace as Appomattox County, Virginia, or Bluefield, West Virginia.[5] According to his World War I draft registration card, Jordan was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. At the time of his registration on June 5, 1917, he was living in Bluefield and worked as a delivery boy and janitor.[6] Jordan's gravestone mentions that he served in the "7th Development Battalion" during the war.[7]
His professional career started at age 35, when he was noticed by
According to a second draft registration card filled out on April 27, 1942 for World War II, Jordan was living in Lynchburg, and was unemployed.[9][10] Jordan was known in his early years to be a cocaine addict, and later in life as a heavy alcoholic who was unable to hold down steady employment.[1][5][11]
He died in Lynchburg in June 1952.[12] His gravestone lies at Forest Hill Burial Park, in Lynchburg, Virginia.[7]
His song "Church Bells Blues" was later recorded by Ralph Willis.[13] It was also recorded by David Bromberg as a medley with Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues".
Known recordings
Recorded August 16, 1927, Charlotte, North Carolina
- 39819-1. "Church Bells Blues." Victor unissued
- 39819-2. "Church Bells Blues." Vi 21076
- 39820-1. "Pick Poor Robin Clean." Victor unissued
- 39820-2. "Pick Poor Robin Clean." Vi 20957
- 39821-2. "Cocaine Blues." Vi 21076
- 39822-1. "Traveling Coon." Vi 20957
Recorded November 18, 1929, New York City
- 57703-1. "My Gal's Done Quit Me." Vi V38564
- 57704-3. "Won't You Be Kind?" Vi V38564
Recorded November 19, 1929, New York City
- 57705- . "If I Call You Mama." Vi 23400
- 57706-2. "Look Up, Look Down." Victor unissued
- 57707- . "Tom Brown Sits in His Prison Cell." Vi 23400
- 57708-2. "That's a Plenty." Victor unissued[14]
References
- ^ a b c Kent, Don (1992). 78 Quarterly (Issue 7 ed.). p. 72.
- ^ "Luke Jordan: Photos". Find a Grave. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ISBN 9780313344244.
- ^ "Luke Jordan, Blues Pioneer". encyclopediavirginia.org. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 9780813161549. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
- ^ "Luke Jordan Draft Registration Card". FamilySearch.org. 1917-05-06. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ a b "Luke Jordan Gravestone". findagrave.com. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ "Lynchburg Luke: A Profile of an Influential Local Songster". Lynchburg Museum System. 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ "Luke Jordan WW2 Draft Registration Card, Page 1". FamilySearch.org. 1942-04-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ^ "Luke Jordan WW2 Draft Registration Card, Page 2". FamilySearch.org. 1942-04-27. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ^ Bruce Bastin (1995). Red River Blues: The Blues Tradition in the Southeast. University of Illinois Press. p. 296. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
luke jordan virginia.
- ^ Doc Rock. "The 50s and Earlier". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ^ Stefan Wirz. "Illustrated Luke Jordan discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2015-09-07.