Born on February 25, 1924, in Rappahannock County, Virginia; married Cora Lee Jackson; seven children; died on January 20, 2002, in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Performed at parties and dances, early 1940s; gave up performing due to violence encountered while playing, 1945; worked as dairy farmer, chauffeur, butler, cook, and gravedigger; discovered in gas station while giving guitar lessons, 1964; began performing in Washington, DC area folk clubs; debut album Blues and Country Dance Tunes from Virginia, 1965; recorded for Arhoolie and Rounder labels, 1965-99; performed in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
Jackson, who was designated a "living treasure" and given a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1986, outlived his wife Cora Lee and three of his seven children; one son was shot by police who mistook him for a burglar. In 2001 he was diagnosed with cancers of the liver and lung, and though gravely ill he insisted on performing at New Year's Eve celebrations in Falls Church, Virginia, that year. He died on January 20, 2002, surrounded by fellow musicians; one played "Hand in Hand" on the banjo as he breathed his last.
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I grew up in Fairfax and knew Mr. Jackson and his son John Jr., and was fortunate to hear him play including impromptu concerts at his homeplace. The best Piedmont Blues picker to ever dig a grave. RIP.
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