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{{short description|American singer}}

{{distinguish|Jesse Dixon}}
{{distinguish|Jesse Dixon}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
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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 Jessy Dixon 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]]''.
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 Jessy Dixon 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.
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. A later collaboration with Simon took place for Wartime Prayers, a song that appeared on Paul Simon's 2006 [[Surprise (Paul Simon album)|Surprise]] album.


[[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 Jessy Dixon Theater Group''. Spring House Recordings. (2005). The Best of Jessy Dixon [DVD]. Bill Gaither (Director).
[[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 Jessy Dixon Theater Group''. Spring House Recordings. (2005). The Best of Jessy Dixon [DVD]. Bill Gaither (Director).


==Death==
==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.
Dixon was diagnosed with [[cancer]] in 2010, and waged a hard battle against the disease. Dixon died on September 26, 2011, at his home in Chicago, aged 73.
<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/arts/music/jessy-dixon-gospel-singer-and-songwriter-dies-at-73.html ''New York Times'' obituary]</ref><ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-09-29/news/ct-met-dixon-obit-20110929_1_gospel-music-gospel-singer-anthony-heilbut Dixon profile @ ''Chicago Tribune'']</ref>
<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/arts/music/jessy-dixon-gospel-singer-and-songwriter-dies-at-73.html ''New York Times'' obituary]</ref><ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/09/29/jessy-dixon-1938-2011/ Dixon profile @ ''Chicago Tribune'']</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p2262/biography|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic]
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p2262/biography|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Christians]]
[[Category:20th-century Christians]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Christians]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:African-American singers]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:American performers of Christian music]]
[[Category:American performers of Christian music]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in Illinois]]
[[Category:Musicians from San Antonio]]
[[Category:Musicians from San Antonio]]
[[Category:Singers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Singers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Singers from Texas]]
[[Category:Singers from Texas]]
[[Category:Southern gospel performers]]
[[Category:Southern gospel performers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]

Latest revision as of 19:39, 9 September 2024

Jessy Dixon
Born(1938-03-12)March 12, 1938
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
OriginChicago, Illinois
DiedSeptember 26, 2011(2011-09-26) (aged 73)
Chicago, Illinois
GenresGospel, contemporary Christian music, R&B
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active1960s–2011
LabelsAmbassador

Jessy Dixon (March 12, 1938 – September 26, 2011) was an 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 in the Homecoming series of concerts. He wrote songs for Amy Grant, Natalie Cole, Cher, and Diana Ross.[1]

Dixon was an ordained minister with Calvary Ministries International of Fort Wayne, Indiana. [citation needed]

Biography

[edit]

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 Jessy Dixon 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. A later collaboration with Simon took place for Wartime Prayers, a song that appeared on Paul Simon's 2006 Surprise album.

Bill and Gloria Gaither invited him to sing at a 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 Jessy Dixon Theater Group. Spring House Recordings. (2005). The Best of Jessy Dixon [DVD]. Bill Gaither (Director).

Death

[edit]

Dixon was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and waged a hard battle against the disease. Dixon died on September 26, 2011, at his home in Chicago, aged 73. [2][3]

References

[edit]
[edit]