Jesse Fortune

Jesse Fortune (February 28, 1930 – August 31, 2009) was an American Chicago blues singer and barber.

Jesse Fortune
Cover of Fortune's 1992 release, Fortune Tellin' Man
Background information
Also known asThe Fortune Tellin' Man
Born(1930-02-28)February 28, 1930
OriginMacon, Mississippi, United States
DiedAugust 31, 2009(2009-08-31) (aged 79)
GenresChicago blues
Occupation(s)Singer, barber
Instrumentsvocals
Years active1952–2009
LabelsUSA Records, Delmark
Associated actsOtis Rush, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, Robert Cray

Biography

Born in Macon, Mississippi,[1] Fortune was trained as a barber before moving to Chicago, Illinois, in 1952. In Chicago, he worked as a barber during the day and a blues singer at night.[2] Fortune became one of the most popular performers for "heavy duty vocal work" in the Chicago blues scene of the 1950s and 1960s.[3] In 1952, he was hired by Otis Rush as a vocalist for the Otis Rush Band show. He also performed as a vocalist with Buddy Guy and Willie Dixon. Fortune became better known as the "Fortune Tellin' Man."[1][2][4] Blues guitarist Dave Specter said of Fortune, "He was one of the great Chicago blues singers. He had an amazingly powerful voice, kind of in the style of early B.B. King. He had so much presence he almost didn't need a microphone."[4] Fortune's best known recording was "Too Many Cooks," released in 1963.[1][2] The Robert Cray Band later covered Fortune's "Too Many Cooks." Fortune released a number of records for the USA label, but became disillusioned with the music business. He later said that he "never made a dime from his recordings."[3]

In 1992, Fortune made a comeback with the release of a new album titled Fortune Tellin' Man.[5] Down Beat Magazine wrote, "Fortune's Delmark CD, Fortune Tellin' Man, showcases his gospelly vocal grit; he uses his love for B.B. King's style as a springboard instead of a crutch."[3] And Cadence Magazine wrote, "His voice is expressive yet never sounds strained or labored. He is deeply soulful with a strutting rhythmic style ... that give this material such a freshness not often hear on Blues releases these days. Jesse Fortune's return to recording and gigging is a most welcome event."[3] Fortune operated a barber shop on Chicago's west side in his later years and continued to perform occasionally in Chicago's blues clubs.[3]

Delmark Records founder Bob Koester recalled Fortune's love of being a barber: "Barbering was his trade and he took more than a little pride in it. He liked running his barbershop."[4] Fortune once "had an opportunity to sing in Europe but turned it down because he didn't want to disappoint his haircut customers."[4]

In August 2009, Fortune died at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago after collapsing on stage while performing at Gene's Playmate Lounge, a Chicago blues club.[1][4] An autopsy showed he died of coronary atherosclerosis.[2][6]

References
  1. "Jesse Fortune: Chicago blues singer, 79". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 2009-09-02.
  2. "PASSINGS: Jesse Fortune; Jesse Fortune, veteran Chicago blues singer, dies at 79". Los Angeles Times. 2009-09-02.
  3. "Jesse Fortune: "The Fortune Tellin' Man"". Blues Management Group. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-10.
  4. "Blues singer Jesse Fortune collapses on stage, dies". Chicago Breaking News. 2009-08-31.
  5. "Jesse Fortune Fortune Tellin' Man Delmark DD-658". Delmark Records. Archived from the original on 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  6. "Veteran Chicago blues singer Jesse Fortune dead". Chicago Tribune. 2009-08-31.
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