Roosevelt Sykes - biography

The first 200 words of this essay...

Roosevelt Sykes - biography

Also known as: The Blues Man, Dobby Brag, The Honeydripper, Easy Papa Johnson

" Roosevelt Sykes is one of the most important urban bluesmen of all time."

- Bob Koester, Delmark Album DL - 607

" [In the 40s]he recorded important transitional records that bridged the gay between Southern rural blues and the modern, electric Chicago blues style."

- Don Heckman, BMI: The Many Worlds of Music" 1969, p.26

Roosevelt Sykes was born on 31 January 1906, Elmar, Arkansas, USA and died on 17 July 1983, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. His father was a musician and all his brothers (Johny, Willie, Walter) Sykes learned piano (self-taught) at the age of 12 and frequently played the organ in the local church. Ran away from home in order to work. By the early 20s was playing in local barrelhouses. He moved to St. Louis in 1928, worked in Jazzland Club, and his first recordings for OKeh Records and Victor Records were made from 1929-31. During the 30s, Sykes recorded