Cripple Clarence Lofton
b. 28 March 1887, Kingsport, Tennessee, USA, d. 9 January 1957. Living and playing in Chicago from the age of 20, pianist and vocalist Lofton became a popular accompanist to visiting blues singers, in many instances appearing in this role on record. He worked steadily through the '30s, proving very popular in the Windy City, and enjoyed the fleeting benefits of the boogie-woogie craze. Influenced by Charles Cow Cow Davenport and Jimmy Yancey, he in turn influenced a number of other pianists, notably Meade Lux Lewis.