Blind Blake
Born Arthur Phelps in Jacksonville ca. 1890s, Blake became a nationally-renowned blues artist in the 1920s for Paramount Records, for which he sold literally millions of “race records.” Blake seems to have utterly disappeared at the height of his success, around 1932; no one seems to know for sure what became of him — some [...]
Delius, Frederick
A 22-year-old British trust-fund rebel whose family sent him off for two years of farming in Solano Grove (on the river in western St. Johns County) in 1880s; Delius later became a prominent European composer.
Hardy, Oliver
Moved to Jacksonville from Milledgeville, Ga., in 1913; appeared in feature films for the Vim and Metro (precursor to MGM) movie studios. An accomplished singer and drummer, Hardy performed regularly in Pablo Beach (now Jacksonville Beach) bistros before leaving for Hal Roach Studios in Hollywood in 1926.
Johnson, James Weldon
Born in Jacksonville in 1871; became principal of then-segregated Stanton High School in 1900. He and his brother Rosamond co-wrote the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” later to become known as the “Negro National Hymn” (not the “Black National Anthem,” as it is commonly called). Johnson was also a practicing attorney (the first black [...]
Phelps, Arthur
Born Arthur Phelps in Jacksonville ca. 1890s, he became a nationally-renowned blues artist as Blind Blake in the 1920s for Paramount Records, for which he sold literally millions of “race records.” Blake seems to have utterly disappeared at the height of his success, around 1932; no one seems to know for sure what became of [...]
The Second Coming – a personal recollection
As part of my instruction in guitar lore, a neighborhood musician named Paul Glass brought me to see a Riverside band called The Second Coming. That august outfit included a virtuoso picker by the name of Dickey Betts. The two of us hitch-hiked all over Northeast Florida — as far as Ravine Gardens in Palatka — to hear Betts at every possible opportunity.
Wilson, Wesley
Pianist/vocalist/songwriter, born in Jacksonville in 1893; Wesley Wilson worked with Sidney Bechet, Fletcher Henderson, and Coot Grant; his songs have been performed by Billie Holiday, Lavern Baker, Dr. John, Louis Jordan, B.B. King Nina Simone, Diana Ross and others.
Wise, Chubby
Born Robert White, in 1915, in Lake City; Chubby Wise moved to Jacksonville at 15 to pursue a career as a fiddler. Landed a touring gig with the Jubilee Hillbillies, went on to tour with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys; later worked with The York Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Hank Snow, Red Allen, and the Stanley [...]
Young, John Freeman
John Freeman Young served as priest at Jacksonville’s St. Johns Episcopal Church from 1845-1847. In 1859, while serving as assistant priest at Trinity Church in New York City, Young translated in to English the Austrian hymn, Silent Night, Holy Night. The song has become the world’s favorite Christmas carol. in 1867, Young returned to Jacksonville [...]
