Sam Chatmon
Sam Chatmon (January 10, 1897-1983), was a Delta blues guitarist and singer. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks and half-brother to Charley Patton.
Sam was born in Bolton, Mississippi. Chatmon's family was well-known in Mississippi for their musical talents; Chatmon was a member of the family's string band when he was young. He performed on a regular basis for white audiences in the 1900's[1].
The Chatmon band played rags, ballads, and popular dance tunes. Two of Sam's brothers, fiddler Lonnie Chatmon and guitarist Bo Carter, performed with guitarist Walter Vinson as the Mississippi Sheiks.
Chatmon played the banjo, mandolin, and harmonica in addition to the guitar. He performed at parties and on street corners throughout Mississippi for small pay and tips. In the 1930's he recorded with the Sheiks as well as with Lonnie as the Chatman Brothers.
Chatmon moved to Hollandale, Mississippi in the early 1940's and worked on plantations in Hollandale. He was rediscovered in 1960 and started a new chapter of his career as folk-blues artist. In 1960 Sam recorded for the Arhoolie label. He toured extensively during the 1960s and 1970s. He played many of the largest and best-known folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. in 1972, the Mariposa Fest in Toronto in 1974, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1976.
Timeline
- 1897 - Born in Bolton, Mississippi
- 1900 - Played for white audiences
- 1930 - Recorded with the Sheiks, Lonnie and the Chatman Brothers
- 1940 - Moved to Hollandale, Mississippi, to work on plantations
- 1960 - Rediscovered as a folk-blues artist,he also recorded for the Arhoolie Label
- 1970 - Performed with Fingers Taylor on the Blues Caravan
- 1972 - Played many of his largest and best-known folk festivals
- 1974 - Played the Mariposa Fest in Toronto
- 1976 - Played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
- 1983 - Died
External links
Categories
1897 births | 1983 deaths | Blues musicians | American blues singers | American guitarists | American male singers | Blues musicians from Mississippi