Jackson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Christine Chatman

Circa 1920-1979

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 30, 2025

1. Christine Chatman Marker

Inscription.
Christine Chatman, a celebrated multi-instrumentalist, was born circa 1920 in Jackson. She began playing the piano at age 3. By age 18 she toured the Midwest with the Leake Brothers Combo before establishing her own band, the Christine Chatman Orchestra. After her 1944 debut single, “Naptown Boogie” on Decca Records, she became famous as the “Boogie Wooqie Queen.” She played piano on sessions with R&B legend Hank Ballard in the1950s. At the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas, Chatman's band backed singers like Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra, and Dinah Washington. Chatman died December 3, 1979 in Jackson.

Erected 2025 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4D-67.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 35° 36.363′ N, 88° 48.824′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of South Royal Street and O'Connor Street, on the right when traveling north on South Royal Street. The marker is located beside the sidewalk, at the northwest corner

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of the historic Jackson railroad depot parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 580 South Royal Street, Jackson TN 38301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jackson Spoke Here (within shouting distance of this marker); The Electro Chalybeate Well (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Austin Raymond Merry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mabel Louise "Big Maybelle" Smith (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother Liberty CME Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Former Site of Merry High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Butler Race Track c. 1825 / Memphis Conference Female Institute 1843-1923 (approx. 0.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Also see . . .
1. All About Home History - Boogie Woogie Queen Christine Chatman (PBS.org).
This professional PBS video tells the Christine Chatman story, including presentations at the historical marker dedication. (Submitted on October 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Honoring Christine Chatman, A Shining Star in Jackson, TN's Musical History.

(By Dian Brown, 6/18/2025) Excerpt: During the Great Depression, radio and jazz music were considered the best medicine to bring comfort,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 30, 2025

2. Christine Chatman Marker
Looking south along South Royal Street. The historic Jackson railroad depot is in the left background.
joy, and, most importantly, an affordable escape for Americans facing hard times. In the midst of that challenging era, a young Christine Chatman from Jackson, Tennessee, began to rise. Born into the segregated South, Christine Chatman rose above the barriers of her time with sheer talent and determination, becoming a distinguished pianist, blues singer, and bandleader. In the 1940s and early 1950s, she recorded for Decca Records and toured extensively with her own group, Christine Chatman and Her Orchestra. Her powerful vocals and commanding piano style earned her comparisons to artists like Dinah Washington and Julia Lee. She often blended jazz, swing, and rhythm and blues in her performances, creating a sound that was both sophisticated and deeply rooted in the African American musical traditions of the South.

(Submitted on October 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 30, 2025

3. Christine Chatman Marker

Looking north along South Royal Street. The historic Murphy Hotel, also known as the Neely House, is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.