Cousin Joe
Pleasant Joseph known as Cousin Joe (December 20, 1907 — October 2, 1989)[1] was a New Orleans blues and jazz singer, famous for his 1940s recordings with Sidney Bechet and Mezz Mezzrow.
Cousin Joe | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Pleasant Joseph |
Born | Wallace, Louisiana, United States | December 20, 1907
Died | October 2, 1989 81) New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | (aged
Genres | Blues |
Occupation(s) | Pianist, singer |
Instruments | Piano, vocal |
Years active | Late 1930s - late 1980s |
Labels | Philo, Savoy, Gotham, De Luxe, Signature, Decca, Imperial, Flip |
Life
He was born in Wallace, Louisiana, United States and worked at Whitney Plantation throughout his childhood.
Until 1945 Cousin Joe toured Louisiana; that year he was asked to take part in the King Jazz recording sessions organized by Mezzrow and Bechet.[2]
In the 1970s, Cousin Joe toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, both individually and as part of the American Blues Legends '74 revue organised by Big Bear Music.[3] He also recorded the album Gospel-Wailing, Jazz-Playing, Rock'n'Rolling, Soul-Shouting, Tap-Dancing Bluesman From New Orleans for Big Bear.[4]
Cousin Joe died in his sleep from natural causes in New Orleans, at the age of 81.[1]
Autobiography
- Cousin Joe : Blues from New Orleans / Pleasant "Cousin Joe" Joseph and Harriet J. Ottenheimer. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1987. xi, 227 p. : ill. ; 23 cm. ISBN 0-226-41198-2
Partial discography
- 1971 : Bad Luck Blues (Black & Blue) with Jimmy Dawkins and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
- 1973 : Cousin Joe From New Orleans (BluesWay)
- 1974 : Gospel Wailing, Jazz Playing, Soul Shouting, Tap Dancing Bluesman from New Orleans (Big Bear Records)
- 1974 : American Blues Legends '74 (Big Bear Records)
- 1984 : Cousin Joe from New Orleans in his prime (Oldie Blues)
- 1985 : Relaxin’ in New Orleans [sound recording] / Cousin Joe. New Orleans, LA : Great Southern Records. 1 sound disc : analog, 331⁄3 rpm ; 12 in.
- 1995 : Jumping at Jubilee [sound recording]. London : Sequel, NEM CD 749
- 1996 : Blues Festival [sound recording]. {Laserlight Records}, NEW CD 17 105
- 2003 : Magic Bostic - Bostic, Earl, 1913–1965 [sound recording] / Earl Bostic. Paris : Jazz Archives
Filmography
- 2005 : DVD The Blues of Cousin Joe (live - 29 August 1984 in New Orleans) (Storyville Films)
References
- Doc Rock. "The 1980s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
- Olderen, Martin van, liner notes Cousin Joe from New Orleans in his prime, OL 8008 (1984).
- Simpson, Jim (2019). Don't Worry 'Bout The Bear. Brewin Books. pp. 113–118. ISBN 978-1-85858-700-4.
- Wirz, Stefan. "Illustrated Big Bear Records Discography". Wirz' American Music.