J.D. Short
American Delta blues singer, guitarist and harmonicist
About J.D. Short
Lived 1902 – 1962 (aged 60). J.D. Short was an American songwriter, composer, musician and harmonicist.
Biography Short was born in Port Gibson, Mississippi. He was a cousin of Big Joe Williams and David "Honeyboy" Edwards.
Short went on to play with the Neckbones, Henry Spaulding, Honeyboy Edwards, Douglas Williams, and his cousin, Big Joe Williams. The account was also mentioned in Townsend's obituary in The Guardian. Short continued performing in St. Louis after World War II, often as a one-man band and sometimes with his cousin, Big Joe Williams. Later, some of his recordings were released by Sonet Records.
Discography Compilations Stavin' Chain Blues, with Big Joe Williams (1961, Delmark Records) Blues from the Mississippi Delta, with Son House (1963, Folkways Records) Legacy of the Blues Vol. 8 (Sonet 648), 1973, recorded in St. Louis, July 1962
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Important facts
People in J.D. Short's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped J.D. Short's
Frequently asked questions
Who was J.D. Short?
American Delta blues singer, guitarist and harmonicist
When was J.D. Short born?
J.D. Short was born on 26 February 1902 in Port Gibson.
When did J.D. Short die?
J.D. Short died on 21 October 1962 in St. Louis.
What was J.D. Short's occupation?
J.D. Short was a songwriter, composer, musician and harmonicist.
What nationality was J.D. Short?
J.D. Short was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). J.D. Short. https://biography.guide/j-d-short/
MLA: "J.D. Short." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/j-d-short/.
Chicago: "J.D. Short." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/j-d-short/.
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