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S. R. No. 14 *SS36/R692* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, McCaughn, Blount,
England, McLendon, Simmons (12th), Thomas,
Simmons (13th)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI 1
SENATE TO MASTER MISSISSIPPI BLUES GUITARIST AND VOCALIST JESSE 2
ROBINSON OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2026 3
GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT. 4
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program has announced its 5
2026 recipients, which include Master Mississippi Blues Guitarist 6
and vocalist Jesse Robinson of Jackson and Central Mississippi, as 7
the 2026 Governor's Arts Award recipient for Lifetime Achievement; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program signifies the 10
important relationship between government and the arts. 11
Established in 1988, the Governor's Arts Awards program recognizes 12
individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy 13
contributions to or achieved artistic excellence in Mississippi 14
and is the most prestigious award for living artists in the state. 15
The Mississippi Arts Commission presents the awards each year in 16
partnership with the Governor's Office. The 38th Governor's Arts 17
Awards ceremony is February 12, 2026, at The Westin Jackson. The 18
Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and the Governor's Office are 19
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pleased to announce four outstanding artists and one legacy arts 20
organization as recipients of the 2026 Governor's Arts Awards; and 21
WHEREAS, the seventh son of a preacher, Jesse Robinson is a 22
guitarist and vocalist who began playing in Jackson in the mid-23
1960s. Born in 1944, he grew up in the Delta Community of 24
Mileston. He picked up the guitar at the age of six. His father, 25
James, a guitarist and a Church of God in Christ (COGIC) minister, 26
moved the family to Jackson when Jesse was a teenager. Robinson 27
became active in the music scene, competing in talent contests at 28
the Alamo Theatre, playing in Duke Huddleston's big band, and 29
performing at the Blue Flame and Rocket Lounge in the "Gold 30
Coast"/"Cross the River" entertainment district in Rankin County 31
alongside musicians like Tommy Tate, Charles Hicks, Calvin 32
Robinson, Walter Gardner, and Willie Thompson. In 1964, Robinson 33
made his first recordings while backing Amanda Humphrey and 34
Carlton "Sonny" Wells on the local Norton label; and 35
WHEREAS, in the mid-1960s, Robinson moved to Chicago, where 36
he played with artists, including Eddie Shaw and the duo King 37
Edward and McKinley Mitchell, who later moved to Jackson. In 38
1971, he returned to Jackson, where his Master Sound Band 39
performed a nightly midnight gig at Jimmy King's Avalon Court in 40
northwest Jackson. He initiated a "Blue Monday" series at nearby 41
Dorsey's, worked with Sam Myers in the Sound Corporation, and 42
played jazz at the Summers Hotel with his brothers Kermit Jr., 43
Bernard, and Sherrill Holly, as well as drummer Willie Silas. He 44
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played a significant role in establishing the celebrated 45
late-night blues tradition at the Subway Lounge and various Blue 46
Monday jams and earned the title of "Mayor of Jackson Blues"; and 47
WHEREAS, in the late 1970s, Robinson began a two-year stint 48
with Little Milton, followed by five years of touring with Bobby 49
Rush, who relocated to Jackson from Chicago in the early 1980s. 50
Robinson appeared on Rush's 1982 hit "Sue" and contributed to more 51
of his recordings on James Bennett's Jackson-based LaJam label. 52
He is also featured on Rush's 2004 CD Folk Funk (Deep Rush); and 53
WHEREAS, in 1986, Robinson formed the Knee Deep Band, 54
featuring vocalist Walter Lee "Big Daddy" Hood, Steve Burkes, and 55
Sherman Lee Dillon. He established midnight shows at the Subway 56
Lounge at the Summers Hotel and brought in groups, including the 57
Houserockers Band. Robinson continued to perform widely with 58
bands and as a solo artist; he has appeared on albums by Bobby 59
"Blue" Bland and Cassandra Wilson, in addition to making his own 60
recordings. His 2013 album Stray Star, which consists of songs 61
derived from translated Portuguese poetry, was the result of a 62
tour of Brazil; and 63
WHEREAS, back home, Robinson frequently organized events to 64
celebrate the local blues community, helped establish the Central 65
Mississippi Blues Society, and actively promoted the Mississippi 66
Blues Trail. Robinson worked closely with Mississippi State's 67
Blues in Schools program, visiting classrooms throughout the state 68
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ST: Recognize Mississippi Blues Musician Jesse
Robinson as recipient of the 2026 Governor's
Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement.
and introducing younger generations to blues music and history; 69
and 70
WHEREAS, after the death of his friend B.B. King, Robinson 71
served as a vocalist and guitarist for the B.B. King Blues Band, 72
performing at events including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage 73
Festival. Jesse Robinson exemplifies the rich, though often 74
overlooked, history of blues in Jackson; and 75
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and 76
express appreciation for the legacy of a Mississippi Blues 77
musician who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies 78
the charitable and artistic/musical traditions of our great state: 79
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 80
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the 81
Mississippi Senate to Master Mississippi Blues Guitarist and 82
vocalist Jesse Robinson of Jackson, Mississippi, as the recipient 83
of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement and 84
extend our congratulations to this outstanding musician on this 85
auspicious occasion. 86
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 87
Jesse Robinson and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 88