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| Jessy Dixon | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 26, 2011(2011-09-26) (aged 73), Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel, Contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Gospel singer, recording artist, Evangelist |
| Labels | Ambassador |
| Website | http://www.jessydixon.com |
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Jessy Dixon (March 12, 1938 – September 26, 2011) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist, with success among audiences across racial lines. He garnered seven Grammy nominations during his career.
Biography
Early Life and career
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jessy sang and played his first song at the age of five. As a youngster he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he was heard and discovered by James Cleveland, who was one of the first artists to sing and record Jessy Dixon's compositions, "God Can Do Anything But Fail," and "My God Can Make A Way." The organizers of the Newport Jazz Festival invited him to perform his new song, "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling," at New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1972. After the performance, Dixon and The Jessy Dixon Singers were requested to do four encores. Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel fame), was in the audience and invited Dixon to share the stage with him as lead vocalist on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live. Dixon found himself touring with Simon across the U.S., France, Canada, Scandinavia, Israel, and Japan. Dixon's affiliation with Simon lasted eight years, during which time he recorded two albums, Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' (1974) and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), both of which sold a million copies.
Bill Gaither Gospel Hour
The years Dixon spent writing, singing, and producing have enabled him to realize the abiding dream of demolishing the walls dividing cultural musical styles. A few years ago, Jessy found two allies who shared his dream. Bill and Gloria Gaither invited him to sing at a Homecoming video taping and provided him yet another opportunity to see his dream become a reality. "Christian music isn't just one style," says Bill Gaither, "It's a theology wrapped up in a lot of different styles..." Jessy has played an important role in the unifying quality of the Homecoming video series. Dixon is now a favorite on the series, and has traveled all over the United States and abroad surprising gospel audiences with his stirring performances of "It's A Highway To Heaven," "Operator", "Leaving On My Mind", "Blood Bought Church", "The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling", "Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary", and "I Am Redeemed".
He toured Europe four to six months each year, and performs the hit Broadway show, Black Nativity with The Jessy Dixon Theater Group. Dixon was also an ordained minister with Calvary Ministries International of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Honors and influence
- Diana Ross - "There's an element in Jessy's music that can't be mistaken. That element is love, and wow do I feel it."
- Bette Midler - "I've heard Jessy Dixon sing many times and in all of gospel music, Jessy Dixon is my favorite. Jessy Dixon has the gospel soul."
- Bill Gaither - "I have traveled with Jessy Dixon for the past several years and never have I been with an artists with more heart. He is the real thing."
- Natalie Cole - "Jessy's music is just like him, beautiful."
The list of musicians that he has worked with include Paul Simon, Andrae Crouch, DeGarmo & Key and most recently Bill Gaither in the Homecoming series of concerts. He has written songs for Amy Grant, Natalie Cole, Cher, and Diana Ross.