Blythe, James Louis "Jimmy"
(born: 1901 - died: 1931)James L. "Jimmy" Blythe was born the son of Rena Stoodel and Richard Blythe in Lexington, KY, according to his death certificate [source: Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, FHL Film No. 1893066 in Ancestry]. When he was a teen, Jimmy Blythe moved to Chicago, IL, 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 and is buried in the Lincoln Cemetery in Chicago.
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 in The Red Hot Jazz Archive at syncopatedtimes.com.
