Jerry Jeff Walker was an American country music singer and songwriter that was a leading figure in the outlaw country music movement and was best known for having written the 1968 song, “Mr. Bojangles.” He was a prolific songwriter and recording artist, releasing 11 albums during the 1970s. Walker’s sound was the kind of rough-hewn, country-flavored folk that would become known as Americana. To many, he was seen as a maverick — a musician whose offbeat music and presence ensured their devotion.
Check out latest post on The Wittliff Collection’s Keystone blog by curator Hector Saldaña, who goes into detail about Jerry Jeff Walker’s first recording made over 50 years ago. The recording, which lives in The Wittliff’s archives, was made in the Quorum, an integrated coffeehouse and nightspot in segregated New Orleans on Esplanade Avenue.
Chantal Lesley is a marketing and communications specialist student employee in the IT Marketing and Communications office.
