Who wrote the song St. James Infirmary?

Discover the story behind St James Infirmary, the first track on Hugh's debut album, 'Let Them Talk'. read more

"St. James Infirmary Blues", is an American jazz song of uncertain origin. Louis Armstrong made the song famous in his influential 1928 recording. On the original release of the Armstrong version, Don Redman was credited as composer; later releases gave the name of Joe Primrose, a pseudonym of Irving Mills. read more

It has an anonymous attribution but Irving Mills is suspected of being the author by some, according to the linked article. We like Doc Watson's versions. St. read more

Songs like Frankie and Johnny, St.James' Infirmary, etc., often began as folk songs or ballads--sung over and over by itinerant performers and gulped down by well-funded songwriters or publishers who usurped rights to them. read more