James Son Thomas

about

James "Son" Thomas (October 14, 1926 – June 26, 1993) was an American Delta blues musician, gravedigger and sculptor from Leland, Mississippi. Life and career James "Son" Thomas performs at a club in Columbus, Mississippi, during the 1980s. Born in Eden, Mississippi, United States, Thomas was known as a folk artist for his sculptures made from un-fired clay which he dug out of the banks of the Yazoo River. His most famous sculpted images were skulls (often featuring actual human teeth) which mirrored his job as a gravedigger and his often stated philosophy that "we all end up in the clay". In 1985, Thomas had his work featured in the prestigious Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. where he was introduced to Mrs. Nancy Reagan then First Lady. Thomas' skulls can also be found on display in several blues museums throughout Mississippi including the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale and the small Leland Blues Museum in Leland. Thomas played at numerous blues festivals and private parties throughout the area including the Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival in Greenville. His later performances saw him accompanied by Swiss harmonica player Walter Liniger. Thomas was recorded by several small record labels and is probably best known for his album Gateway to the Delta which was recorded by Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, although he remains an obscure figure outside of dedicated blues communities.[citation needed] He appeared in the films Delta Blues Singe

top songs

albums

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Hard Times

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Mississippi Delta Blues Man

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Blues At Home 10

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Hard Times (Blues Reference) [recorded in France 1986]

Hard Times (Blues Reference (recorded in France 1986))

Beefsteak Blues

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Blues (Pain Created To Heal Pain)

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Blues(pain created to heal pain)

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Bottomlands

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Living Country Blues USA Vol.2: Blues On Highway 61

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Blues On Highway 61

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American Folk Blues Festival '82

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