Jesse Robinson, Photo by K. Jacobs
Major Works
- Stray Star (2013)
- Blues Child (2004)
- Downhome Christmas in Mississippi (2004)
- “Show Me a Love” Song co-written with Cassandra Wilson
Biography of Jesse Robinson
Jesse Robinson is a blues guitarist and singer who has played and worked with many other blues musicians throughout his career including Cassandra Wilson, Little Milton, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and others. Robinson’s band opened for B.B. King at the opening of the B.B. King Museum and he is now the front man for B.B. King’s Blues Band.
Robinson was born in Benton, Mississippi, in May 1944 and was raised in Mileston (an unincorporated community 6 miles south of Tchula). He began playing guitar at the age of 6 and played in the church where his father was a preacher.
The Robinson family moved to Jackson in the early 1960’s, exposing Jesse to local blues musicians. As a teenager, Robinson played in local talent shows where he met other fellow blues musicians with whom he developed lifelong friendships. Starting at the age of 16, Robinson began playing in clubs around Jackson and with bands led by Sam Myers, Duke Huddleston, Jimmy King and others.
Robinson moved to Chicago in 1965 where he worked in a television factory. While in Chicago, Robinson continued playing music and worked with local musicians including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Freddie King, and Magic Sam.
Robinson returned to Jackson, MS in 1971 where he continues to reside. In his early time in Jackson, he and his band played every night at the Avalon Court on Highway 49. He also established Blue Mondays at Dorsey’s in 1978, which featured blues musicians and blues music. Robinson played with Little Milton Campbell from 1979 to 1981 and then led the band for Bobby Rush from 1981 to 1986. In 1987, Robinson began playing at the Subway Lounge with his Knee Deep Band. In 1994, Robinson brought his Blue Mondays series to the Fields Cafe.
In 2008, Robinson was the recipient of The King Mose Memorial Award at the Jackson Music Awards.
Robinson continues to play music widely and is now the front man for the B.B. King’s Blues Band.
Videos of Jesse Robinson Playing Music
Related Websites
- Listen to excerpts from Robinson’s CD Stray Star
- Mississippi Delta Blues – Jesse Robinson “A Mississippi Living Legend Musician”
- Robinson receiving The King Mose Memorial Award (Jackson Free Press, 2008)
Bibliography
- Jesse Robinson new front man for B. B. King’s Blues Band (Clarion Ledger, April 28, 2016)
- Mississippi Arts Commission Folklife Folk Artis Directory
- Cotton District Arts Festival ‘Jesse Guitar Robinson’
Jesse Robinson, Photo by K. Jacobs