Abner Jay - Swaunee Water and Cocaine Blues

"Jay was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia. His father and grandfather were both slaves in Washington County, Georgia. His grandfather was also a banjo player and imparted a vast repertoire of old-time and folk songs to Abner. He started playing in medicine shows when he was 5. In 1932 he joined the Silas Green Minstrels and would later go on to lead the WMAZ Minstrels on Macon radio from 1946-56, before going solo. He spent many years travelling the American South and playing concerts from his "converted mobile home that opened up into a portable stage, complete with amplification and home furnishings." These concerts, as evidenced in his recordings, were often equal parts spoken word (jokes, philosophical asides, rants) and music. Common instruments on his recordings include harmonica, drum kit, a six-string banjo (that Jay claimed was made in 1748), and the "bones," which were chicken and cow bones that had been bleached in the sun and used to create percussion.  Jay's song repertoire included field songs, Pentecostal hymns and minstrel tunes. He once described himself as "the last working Southern black minstrel." He also performed original material that was mostly secular, and subjects ranged from politics, relationships, war, the bible and depression. In later years he had a residency, playing shows and selling his LPs and cassette tapes at Tom Flynn's Plantation Restaurant in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Anthony Braxton, renowned American composer and philosopher, called Jay and "American Master."

This guy really was something amazing. Playing all instruments himself and belting out his plaintive Southern drawl, Jay's songs get under your skin. By turns sad and funny, happy and lonely.

Abner Jay