More Info on Jessy DixonSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Infobox musical artist| name = Jessy Dixon| Image =| Imagesize = 120px| caption =| background = solo_singer| birth_date = birth date|1938|3|12|mf=y| birth_place = San Antonio, Texas , United States| origin = Chicago, Illinois | instrument = Singing|Vocals , piano | genre = Gospel music|Gospel , Christian music|Christian , R& B | death_date = death date and age|2011|9|26|1938|3|12|mf=y| death_place = Chicago, Illinois| Years_Active = 1960s–2011| label = Ambassador| website = http://www.jessydixon.com| associated_acts = The Goodmans, Bill Gaither Trio , Lillie Knauls , James Cleveland , Andrae Crouch , Albertina Walker , Paul Simon , DeGarmo and Key .JessyDixon (March 12, 1938 – September 26, 2011) was an United States|American gospel music singer, songwriter, and pianist, with success among audiences across racial lines. He garnered seven Grammy award nominations during his career.
Musicians with whom he worked include Paul Simon , Andrae Crouch , DeGarmo & Key and most recently Bill Gaither (gospel singer)|Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming|Homecoming series of concerts. He wrote songs for Amy Grant , Natalie Cole , Cher , and Diana Ross . http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jessy-dixon-p2262/credits Allmusic credits
Dixon was an ordained minister with Calvary Ministries International of Fort Wayne, Indiana . Citation needed|date=October 2011
Biography
Born in San Antonio, Texas , Dixon sang and played his first song at the age of five. As a youngster he moved to Chicago , where he was discovered by James Cleveland , one of the first artists to sing and record Jessy Dixon's compositions, "God Can Do Anything But Fail," and "My God Can Make A Way." The organizers of the Newport Jazz Festival invited him to perform his new song, "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling," at New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1972. After the performance, Dixon and The JessyDixon Singers were requested to do four encores. Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel fame), was in the audience and invited Dixon to share the stage with him as lead vocalist on NBC-TV 's Saturday Night Live .
Dixon found himself touring with Simon across the U.S., France, Canada , Scandinavia , Israel , and Japan . Dixon's affiliation with Simon lasted eight years, during which time he recorded two albums, '' Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' (1974) and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), both of which sold a million copies.
Bill Gaither (gospel singer)|Bill and Gloria Gaither invited him to sing at a Gaither Homecoming|Homecoming video taping. Dixon was a favorite on the series, and has traveled all over the United States and abroad surprising gospel audiences with his stirring performances of "It's A Highway To Heaven," "Operator", "Leaving On My Mind", "Blood Bought Church", "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling", "Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary", and "I Am Redeemed". Dixon performed in the show, Black Nativity with The JessyDixon Theater Group . Citation needed|date=October 2011
Death
Dixon was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and waged a very hard battle against the disease. Dixon died on September 26, 2011 at his home in Chicago, aged 73. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/arts/music/jessy-dixon-gospel-singer-and-songwriter-dies-at-73.html New York Times obituary http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-09-29/news/ct-met-dixon-obit-20110929_1_gospel-music-gospel-singer-anthony-heilbut Dixon profile @ Chicago Tribune
Quotes
Natalie Cole : ''"Jessy's music is just like him, beautiful."
Bill Gaither (gospel singer)|Bill Gaither : "I have traveled with JessyDixon for the past several years and never have I been with an artist with more heart. He is the real thing."
Bette Midler : ''"I've heard JessyDixon sing many times and in all of gospel music, JessyDixon is my favorite. JessyDixon has the gospel soul."
Diana Ross : ''"There's an element in Jessy's music that can't be mistaken. That element is love, and wow do I feel it."
Persondata | NAME = Dixon, Jessy | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician | DATE OF BIRTH = March 12, 1938 | PLACE OF BIRTH = San Antonio, Texas , U.S. | DATE OF DEATH = September 26, 2011 | PLACE OF DEATH = Chicago, Illinois , U.S.
DEFAULTSORT:Dixon, Jessy Category:1938 births Category:2011 deaths Category:African American singers Category:American gospel singers Category:American performers of Christian music Category:African American musicians Category:Musicians from Texas Category:Musicians from Chicago, Illinois Category:People from San Antonio, Texas Category:American Christians Category:Disease-related deaths in Illinois
