Jessy Dixon(March 12, 1938 – September 26, 2011) was an Americangospel musicsinger, songwriter, and pianist, with success among audiences across racial lines. He garnered sevenGrammy awardnominations during his career.
Jessy Dixon | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 12, 1938 San Antonio, Texas,U.S. |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | September 26, 2011(aged 73) Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Gospel,contemporary Christian music,R&B |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals,piano |
| Years active | 1960s–2011 |
| Labels | Ambassador |
Musicians with whom he worked includePaul Simon,Andrae Crouch,DeGarmo & Keyand most recentlyBill Gaitherin theHomecoming seriesof concerts. He wrote songs forAmy Grant,Natalie Cole,Cher,andDiana Ross.[1]
Dixon was an ordained minister with Calvary Ministries International ofFort Wayne, Indiana.[citation needed]
Biography
editBorn inSan Antonio, Texas,Dixon sang and played his first song at the age of five. As a youngster he moved toChicago,where he was discovered byJames 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'sRadio City Music Hallin 1972. After the performance, Dixon and The Jessy Dixon Singers were requested to do four encores.Paul Simon(ofSimon & Garfunkelfame), was in the audience and invited Dixon to share the stage with him as lead vocalist onNBC-TV'sSaturday Night Live.
Dixon found himself touring with Simon across the U.S., France,Canada,Scandinavia,Israel,andJapan.Dixon's affiliation with Simon lasted eight years, during which time he recorded two albums,Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'(1974) andStill Crazy After All These Years(1975), both of which sold a million copies. A later collaboration with Simon took place for Wartime Prayers, a song that appeared on Paul Simon's 2006Surprisealbum.
BillandGloria Gaitherinvited him to sing at aHomecomingvideo 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 NativitywithThe Jessy Dixon Theater Group.Spring House Recordings. (2005). The Best of Jessy Dixon [DVD]. Bill Gaither (Director).
Death
editDixon was diagnosed withcancerin 2010, and waged a hard battle against the disease. Dixon died on September 26, 2011, at his home in Chicago, aged 73. [2][3]