Jim Booker

1920s blues fiddler Jim Booker recorded with Taylor's Kentucky Boys and his own group, Booker Orchestra. He was born in Jessamine County in Kentucky and learned to play fiddle from his father, a former slave. In 1927, Jim Booker made two trips to Gennett's Indiana studios to record mountain songs with Taylor's Kentucky Boys, including "Gray Eagle." He also recorded "Salty Dog" and "Camp Nelson Blues." During that trip with his string band Booker Orchestra, which included his younger brothers, Joe and John Booker on guitars, and neighbor Robert Steele on kazoo. ~ Joslyn Layne