Gospel Singer Jessy Dixon's Memorial Scheduled for Oct. 10th

 

Gospel Singer Jessy Dixon Homegoing Ceremony Set for Oct 10th in Indiana

Gospel singer Jessy Dixon died September 26, 2011 at home in Chicago. The 73-year-old succumbed to an undisclosed illness, his sister Miriam Dixon has said.

“Dixon was born in San Antonio, Texas, and began singing there. In Chicago, he connected with gospel great James Cleveland and over the years performed with a number of gospel groups,” the Tribune reported.

Dixon had been “a cherished fixture on the Bill Gaither Gospel Hour television series and concert tours” for the past 16 years,” the obituary on his website said.

He is survived by a brother and sister. His website says a “Homegoing Celebration" is scheduled.

Information regarding the Homegoing Celebration of Jessy Dixon,
Will be held:
Monday October 10, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
Family Christian Center
340 West 45th Street Munster, IN 46321
(219)-922-6500 office
(219)-934-2378 Fax

Gospel Singer Jessy Dixon Has Died At 73

Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday. He was 73.

Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home. She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.

During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Amy Grant.

But it was for his gospel singing – religious music that combined the rhythmic beat of blues, jazz and soul – that Dixon first gained attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Dixon first came to Simon's attention. For the next eight years, Dixon toured with the pop icon, collaborating on Simon's `Live Rhymin' Simon' and `Still Crazy' albums.

Read full report here