Blythe, James Louis "Jimmy"
Birth Year : 1901
Death Year : 1931
Blythe was born in Louisville or Keene, KY. When he was a teen, he moved to Chicago, where he spent the rest of his life. Blythe was an accomplished musician and composer. Considered one of the first Boogie Woogie piano players, he was also well-versed in most other styles. He led studio bands for several companies in Chicago. Blythe made his first recordings in 1924, including Chicago Stomp, and made many piano rolls in the 1920s; he also did a few solos and was recorded accompanying a number of singers. He died of meningitis. His recordings are available on an RST CD. For more see Jimmy Blythe in Grove Music Online; Jimmy Blythe in The Rough Guide to Jazz, by D. Fairweather, B. Priestley, and I. Carr; and James "Jimmy" Blythe at redhotjazz.com. View album cover, Bitchin Boogie, and hear Jimmy Blythe playing "Chicago Stomp" on YouTube.

Subjects: Migration North, Musicians, Opera, Singers, Song Writers
Geographic Region: Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky / Keene, Jessamine County, Kentucky / Chicago, Illinois