Jesse-Winchester-Obituary

Jesse Winchester

1944 - 2014 (Age 69)

About

AGE
69

Obituary

TORONTO (AP) - Jesse Winchester, a U.S.-born singer who established himself in Montreal after dodging the Vietnam War and went on to write songs covered by the likes of Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett and Joan Baez has died of cancer. He was 69.

His death was announced on his official Facebook page Friday.

"Friends, our sweet Jesse died peacefully in his sleep this morning," the update reads. "Bless his loving heart."

Winchester was born in Louisiana and raised around the U.S. South, but he didn't begin his music career in earnest until moving to Quebec in 1967. There, he began performing solo in coffee houses around Montreal and the Canadian East Coast.

Winchester was a protege of the Band's Robbie Robertson, who produced and played guitar on Winchester's self-titled debut album and brought Band-mate Levon Helm along to play drums and mandolin.

Winchester's second album, 1972's "Third Down, 110 to Go" featured tracks produced by T odd Rundgren. He continued to release material at a steady clip until 1981's "Talk Memphis," after which he took a seven-year break from recording. That album, however, contained Winchester's biggest U.S. hit, "Say What."

Although large-scale mainstream success eluded Winchester, his songs were covered by an array of musicians including Elvis Costello, Anne Murray, Wynona Judd, Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, Jimmy Buffett and Joan Baez.

Some of his best known songs include "Yankee Lady," ''Biloxi," ''The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" and "Mississippi, You're On My Mind."

After living in Canada for decades, Winchester moved back to the U.S. early last decade. He died at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Winchester was nominated for three Juno Awards, including country male vocalist of the year in 1990 and, most recently, best roots and traditional album for "Gentleman of Leisure" in 2000.

In September 2012, artists including James Taylor, Lucinda Williams, Vince Gill and Jimmy Buffett performed covers of Winchester's tunes for a tribute album called "Quiet About It."

Winchester reportedly recorded a final album called "A Reasonable Amount of Trouble," due out this summer.




Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

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I am sorry for your loss. Family and friends of the songwriter can be comforted by learning that this life is not all there is. There is much more in store that will lead to permanent happiness in uniting with our loved ones on earth. That's the promise given to us by God.

what a grate loss with the passing of Jesse as i sit here listening to a reasonable amount of trouble I can see him dancing to don't be shy.when every jesse would come to santa cruz calf. my wife and I would buy ticket for both shows we loved him that much. we always left with a warm hart and a smile on our faces . the two people I loved and admired have gone to be with the LORD my loving wife on july 24 and Jesse on april 24th 2014 my tears still flow for both of them . but unless you are...

We lost a great one. I emailed him several years back and he took the time to write me back. That is a STAR in my eyes. RIP xoxo

Last night, I went to Jessewinchester.com to look up the lyrics to a song. I have been an ardent fan of Jesse's for well over 30 years, yet somehow the news of him dying had not reached me. I feel absolutely bereft at seeing the note from his family that he died on April 11th, my 33rd wedding anniversary. My husband introduced me to Jesse's music when we were dating. Together, we must have seen Jesse in concert 25 times, at the Walnut Creek Coffeehouse, the Noe Valley Ministryin...

I have been grieving for Jesse as though he were family.
He was family really, since his songs touched me so personally - singing along since 1970. His performances took us into the inner sanctum of the heart too.
His music will live a long long time.

I am forever grateful to Jesse, his dear Cindy and family.
With true love always,
JNH

PS I hope for a biography or documentary some day.

The first time I heard Jesse's beautiful voice was when my dear late hubby, Willie Dunn (who also passed away into the spirit world on August 5, 2014)gave me his album the first Xmas we dated. I have since then loved Jesse's gift of song and poetry. When he came to the Ottawa Folk Festival one summer, Willie said to Jesse (they were performers at the festival) "come with me, I want you to meet your biggest fan". Willie brought Jesse to me and introduced us. Rest in peace Jesse....

A singularly astounding light in this world has gone out. It was, I imagine, a source of warmth and comfort for countless others who, in struggling through the dark themselves, often found solace and grace in his songs - songs which always somehow seemed to spring directly from the soul and heart of a man who knew exactly how to function as an imperfect human being. We'll all miss you, Jesse.

The world is a kinder, gentler, more loving place because of his beautiful soul. God's Blessings and comfort to your family and I pray for Faith, Trust and Perseverance for you all.
http://catherinemeyersartist.blogspot.ca/2014/04/a-gentleman-of-leisure.html