Saturday, October 01, 2011

With deep affection and respect for Jessy Dixon

Jessy-Garth-web

Garth Hewitt writes:

The remarkable gospel singer Jessy Dixon died on the 26th of September at his home in Chicago. He was 73. Jessy was a legend both in terms of songwriting and performance. He understood the power of gospel music to bring hope and to challenge people. He became known to many who weren't so familiar with gospel when he collaborated with Paul Simon on a couple of albums. It was after hearing him on a live Paul Simon album that I asked his agent in the UK if he could come with his singers and sing on an album I was recording called I'm Grateful. The studio was so excited he was coming they got a special guest book so he could sign it. At that time we recorded four songs together.

Ten years back I did a concert with him for Christian Aid in Bloomsbury Chapel in London, and after hearing my song Feast of Life he asked if he could produce a version of it. A year or so later we recorded it down in ICC studios in Eastbourne. It is an exhilarating version of the song with Jessy on Hammond organ and vocals and Elsa Harris on piano.

Jessy appeared at Greenbelt Festival many times. He was extremely popular and his warmth and his musical style inspired many people. Late night at Greenbelt listening to Jessy was always an unforgettable experience. In his later years Jessy recorded beautiful material with Bill Gaither's Homecoming team. His incredible versatility came to the forefront and it was on the Bill Gaither Show that I heard him talk about the fact that Mahalia Jackson had flown across the country to lay hands on Jessy before she died to symbolise the passing on of the gift of gospel music.

He made an album with Bill Gaither called I saw the Light which is an unbeatable gospel classic. It is an album for the hard times. It is a gospel of hope that acts as therapy – songs like Master the Tempest is Raging, I can't even walk (without you holding my hand) and Thank you Lord are deeply powerful.

Jessy will be missed, but he will continue to inspire as people listen to his music and realise that he was a dedicated man who showed us the true passion, hope and poignancy of gospel music.

The song Feast of Life with Garth Hewitt and Jessy Dixon and two songs All the Time and The Holy One has Crossed the River, from the I’m Grateful session, are available on the 30 album on iTunes.

Pictured above: Jessy Dixon and the Jessy Dixon Singers recording with Garth Hewitt for I’m Grateful in 1978.