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Jessy Dixon

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Jessy Dixon
Born(1938-03-12)March 12, 1938
San Antonio, Texas, United States
OriginChicago, Illinois
DiedSeptember 26, 2011(2011-09-26) (aged 73)
Chicago, Illinois
GenresGospel, Christian, R&B
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
LabelsAmbassador
Websitehttp://www.jessydixon.com

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

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.

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

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. [2][3]

Quotes

  • Natalie Cole: "Jessy's music is just like him, beautiful."
  • Bill Gaither: "I have traveled with Jessy Dixon 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 Jessy Dixon sing many times and in all of gospel music, Jessy Dixon is my favorite. Jessy Dixon 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."

References

  1. ^ Allmusic credits
  2. ^ New York Times obituary
  3. ^ Dixon profile @ Chicago Tribune

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