Charley Jordan

American blues singer, guitarist, songwriter and talent scout.

Born: January 1, 1890 in Mabelvale, Arkansas, USA
Died: November 15, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA (Pneumonia)

Jordan recorded a type of blues to be coined as 'St. Louis' blues, he was known for his unique, clean and fast playing style that "drew on his rural roots". Jordan recorded for Vocalion, Victor and Decca between 1930 and 1937, he also performed with several well-known bluesmen from the 1920s to the 1940s. He played with Peetie Wheatstraw, Roosevelt Sykes, Casey Bill Weldon and Memphis Minnie. Most of his big hits came to be in the early to mid-1930s, for example "Keep It Clean". From the late 1930s into the 1940s he also frequently worked with Big Joe Williams. He later recorded under the name "Uncle Skipper".

In 1928, Jordan was shot in the spine, this was due to his extramusicial career as a bootlegger (illegally transporting alcoholic beverages). This spinal injury gave him a disability which caused him to walk with crutches thereafter (this can be seen in the few photographs that exist).

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