Jaybird Coleman

Burl C. " Jaybird " Coleman ( born May 20, 1896 in Gainesville, Alabama, † January 28, 1950 in Tuskegee, Alabama ) was an American blues harmonica player, guitarist and singer. Although his harmonica playing was not pointing the way, he is a good example of the sound of the harmonica in the country blues of the early 1930s.

Coleman was the child of a tenant family and worked and grew up on his parents' farm on, teased the next to him three more children. At the age of twelve he started with the harmonica. He played at parties for his family and his friends. With the Blues, he was known during his service in the U.S. Army, where he was engaged in the First World War in the troop entertainment. After his release, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he performed on street corners and sometimes also starred in the Birmingham Jug Band. His first album, he took 1927 on, his recording career ended but already 1930. In the 1930s and 1940s, he played as a street musician in all of Alabama.

He died in 1950 from cancer. 1993 Document Records published his works. His works are represented in many different compilations of country blues.

Disco Graphical Notes

• Jaybird Coleman & The Birmingham Jug Band 1927-1930 (Document )

On compilations:

• Richer Tradition: Country Blues and String Band Music 1923-1942 ( Man Trouble Blues )
• Goodbye, Babylon ( I'm Gonna Cross the River of Jordan )
• The Essential Recordings of Blues Harmonica ( Coffee Grinder Blues )