Jimmy “Spoon” Witherspoon was an American blues, jazz, jump-blues, and rhythm-and-blues singer whose resonant baritone and forceful blues-shouting style made him one of the leading postwar vocalists. His signature recording, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” became a 1949 number-one R&B hit, and he later gained renewed acclaim through jazz collaborations and international touring.
Background
Jimmy Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, to Leonard Witherspoon, a Missouri Pacific Railroad brakeman, and Eva Tatum Witherspoon, a church pianist. His parents sang in a Baptist church choir, and he joined the choir as a young child; he also won a Clark County singing contest early in life. Although his mother disapproved of secular blues, Witherspoon listened to blues and other popular music on jukeboxes and radio and developed an early ambition to become a professional singer. He moved to Los Angeles during the 1930s, worked as a dishwasher at a drugstore, and spent his free time in the Central Avenue clubs where he encountered leading blues and jazz musicians, including his idol Big Joe Turner.
Career
Witherspoon began performing professionally in California after moving to Los Angeles and sitting in with local blues and jazz bands. During World War II he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1941 to 1943, transporting supplies to British forces in Asia. While on shore leave in Calcutta, India, he sang with pianist Teddy Weatherford’s big band in a performance broadcast by the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service. After returning to California, he joined pianist Jay McShann’s band and served as its lead singer from 1944 through 1948. His first recordings were made with McShann’s group in the mid-1940s, and his 1947 recording of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” released as a 1949 hit, reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and remained there for thirty-four weeks. He followed it with further successes including “In the Evening,” “No Rollin’ Blues,” “Big Fine Girl,” and “The Wind Is Blowin’.”
The rise of rock and roll reduced the commercial demand for Witherspoon’s blues-shouting style during the 1950s, and he endured financial and personal setbacks while recording for several smaller labels. His appearance at the 1959 Monterey Jazz Festival marked a major career revival and established him as a formidable jazz vocalist. From the 1960s through the 1990s he maintained an active international career, performing and recording with artists including Ben Webster, T-Bone Walker, Buck Clayton, Dr. John, Eric Burdon, Van Morrison, and Robben Ford. His work ranged from traditional urban blues to jazz standards, and he recorded for labels including Supreme, Modern, World Pacific, Reprise, Prestige, Bluesway, United Artists, Blue Note, Capitol, Muse, Fantasy, and Stony Plain. In 1972 he discovered and featured the young guitarist Robben Ford, with whom he subsequently toured and recorded. After surviving throat cancer in the 1980s, radiation treatment altered his vocal range and left his voice raspier, but rehabilitation enabled him to resume performing. He continued to appear on stage and in recordings until shortly before his death in Los Angeles in 1997. He also acted occasionally, appearing in The Black Godfather, To Sleep with Anger, and Georgia.
Achievements
His recording of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” became a number-one rhythm-and-blues hit in 1949 and remained on the Billboard R&B chart for thirty-four weeks, becoming his signature song.
His 1959 appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival revitalized his career and established his reputation as a major jazz and blues vocalist.
He sustained an international performing and recording career spanning the 1940s through the 1990s, collaborating with prominent blues, jazz, and rock musicians.
He discovered and featured guitarist Robben Ford in 1972, helping launch Ford’s professional career.
Works
album
Jimmy Witherspoon at the Monterey Jazz Festival
(Live album documenting Witherspoon’s acclaimed 1959 Monte...)
(Feature film in which Witherspoon appeared as Nate Williams.)
1974
Georgia
(Film in which Witherspoon appeared as Trucker.)
1995
To Sleep with Anger
(Film appearance by Jimmy Witherspoon.)
1990
single
Ain’t Nobody’s Business
(Recording by Jimmy Witherspoon with Jay McShann’s band; i...)
1947
Membership
Witherspoon served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. His professional affiliations centered on band and touring work, especially his service as lead singer with Jay McShann’s band and his later collaborations with jazz, blues, and rock musicians.
Personality
Witherspoon was known professionally for a commanding, emotionally direct performance style that could shift between smooth crooning and forceful blues shouting. His public musical character was associated with expressive phrasing, a resonant baritone, and an ability to work comfortably with both blues musicians and leading jazz instrumentalists.
Physical Characteristics:
He was known for a resonant baritone voice; after throat-cancer treatment in the 1980s, his vocal quality became noticeably raspier and his upper register was diminished.
Quotes from others about the person
Music writers and biographers have described Witherspoon as one of the major postwar blues singers and as a vocalist whose baritone and delayed phrasing allowed him to move convincingly between urban blues and jazz.
Interests
Music & Bands
Blues, jump blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
Connections
Witherspoon was the son of railroad worker Leonard Witherspoon and church pianist Eva Tatum Witherspoon. He was married to Diana Williams, later identified as Diana Witherspoon Atkins, who survived him. He had three children and was the grandfather of professional football player Ahkello Witherspoon.
Father:
Leonard Witherspoon
Missouri Pacific Railroad brakeman and church choir member.
Mother:
Eva Tatum Witherspoon
Church pianist and choir member.
Wife:
Diana Witherspoon Atkins
Surviving spouse identified in accounts of Witherspoon’s death.
Grandson:
Ahkello Witherspoon
Professional football cornerback.
References
Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Jimmy “Spoon” Witherspoon
Documents Witherspoon’s Arkansas upbringing, Merchant Marine service, work with Jay McShann, recording career, film appearances, family connections, health, death, and honors.
Jimmy Witherspoon — Concord Artist Biography
Describes Witherspoon’s signature recordings, Monterey Jazz Festival comeback, collaborations, work with Robben Ford, throat-cancer recovery, and later career.
