Jimmy Yancey

James Edward Yancey (February 20, c. 1895

Biography Jimmy Yancey was born in Chicago, Illinois, most likely in 1895. and other sources give 1894 Researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest 1901. and by twenty he had toured throughout Europe. He began teaching himself to play the piano at the age of 15, and by 1915 had gained a sufficient profile to influence younger musicians, including Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons. Yancey favored keys—such as E-flat and A-flat—that were atypical for barrelhouse blues. He made most of his recordings solo, but later in his career he recorded with his wife, Estelle Yancey, singing, as Jimmy and Mama Yancey.