Jackson in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Jesse Robinson

— Mississippi Blues Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026

1. Jesse Robinson Marker

Inscription.
The seventh son of a preacher, guitarist and vocalist Jesse Robinson began playing in Jackson in the mid-'60s, and after a stint in Chicago became a central figure in the local blues and jazz scene, leading his own bands and playing with artists including Sam Myers. He toured extensively with Little Milton and Bobby Rush, and back in Jackson his work helped to establish the celebrated late night blues tradition at the Subway Lounge and various Blue Monday jams.

Jesse Robinson exemplifies the rich, if often overlooked, history of blues in Jackson. Born in 1944, he grew up in the Delta community of Mileston, where his family owned their own farm and other businesses, and picked up guitar at six. Robinson's father, James, a guitarist and COGIC minister, moved the family to Jackson when Jesse was in his teens. He became active on the music scene, competing in talent contests at the Alamo Theatre, playing in Duke Huddleston's big band, and gigging at the Blue Flame and Rocket Lounge in the "Gold Coast"/"Cross the River" entertainment district in Rankin County with musicians including Tommy Tate, Charles Hicks,

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Calvin Robinson, Walter Gardner, and Willie Thompson. In 1964 Robinson made his first recordings playing behind Amanda Humphrey and Carlton "Sonny" Wells on the local Norton label.

In the mid-'60s Robinson moved to Chicago, where he played with artists including Eddie Shaw and the team of King Edward and McKinley Mitchell, who later moved to Jackson. In 1971 he returned to Jackson, where his Master Sound Band worked a nightly midnight gig at Jimmy King's Avalon Court in northwest Jackson. He started a "Blue Monday" series at nearby Dorsey's, worked with Sam Myers in the Sound Corporation, and played jazz at the Summers Hotel with brothers Kermit Jr., Bernard, and Sherrill Holly and drummer Willie Silas. In the late '70s Robinson began a two-year stint with Little Milton, followed by five years of touring with Bobby Rush, who relocated to Jackson from Chicago in the early '80s. Robinson appeared on Rush's 1982 hit "Sue" and other of his recordings on James Bennett's Jackson-based LaJam label, and is also featured on Rush's 2004 CD Folk Funk (Deep Rush).

In 1986 Robinson formed the Knee Deep Band, featuring vocalist Walter Lee

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026

2. Jesse Robinson Marker

"Big Daddy" Hood, Steve Burkes, and Sherman Lee Dillon, and established midnight shows at the Summers Hotel's Subway Lounge, and brought in groups including the Houserockers. Robinson continued to perform widely with bands and as a solo artist, appeared on albums by Bobby "Blue" Bland and Cassandra Wilson, and made his own recordings. His 2013 album Stray Star, which consisted of songs made from translated Portuguese poetry, resulted from a tour of Brazil. Back home Robinson frequently organized events celebrating the local blues community, helped establish the Central Mississippi Blues Society, and actively promoted the Mississippi Blues Trail. In the wake of his friend B.B. King's death, Robinson served as a vocalist/guitarist for the B.B. King Blues Band, playing events including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Erected 2025 by the Mississippi Blues Commission. (Marker Number 218.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi Blues Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 32° 17.989′ N,

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026

3. Jesse Robinson Marker

Closeup of photos & captions.

90° 11.531′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Mississippi, in Hinds County. It is on West Pearl Street east of South Gallatin Street, on the right when traveling west. Located at parking lot entrance to the Iron Horse Grill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 W Pearl St, Jackson MS 39203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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: Scott Radio Service Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edwards Hotel (about 500 feet away); 217 W. Capitol (about 700 feet away); Ace Records (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original SEC Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Summers Hotel & Subway Lounge

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026

4. Jesse Robinson Marker

(Marker is next to power pole on right.

(approx. ¼ mile away); Woolworth's Sit-in (approx. ¼ mile away); H.C. Speir (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Also see . . . Biography of Jesse Robinson (includes photo of Jesse Robinson). (Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Jesse Robinson Marker at the Iron Horse Grill. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 27, 2026

5. Jesse Robinson Marker at the Iron Horse Grill.

(Marker is behind Stop sign on right).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.