The musical Lonesome Blues celebrates the life and accomplishments of legendary bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson, born blind but ultimately able to express his deepest emotions through music. Born in rural East Texas and discovered on a street corner in Deep Ellum in 1925, Jefferson made more than 80 records over the next four years, becoming the biggest country blues singer of his generation. Despite his tragic death at age 36, the prolific and powerful performer propelled the growth of rhythm and blues, soul, doo-wop, rap and hip-hop.

Dallas-based actor J Dontray Davis plays more than 10 different roles, channeling the spirits of men and women alike in a journey that is at once evocative, troubling and transformative. The show’s songs and monologues bring to life the voice of Blind Lemon, his community, and his musical contemporaries, including Blind Willie Johnson, Lillian Glinn, Hattie Hudson, Bobbie Cadillac, and Lead Belly. They all come together in Jefferson's mind on the day of his death, December 19, 1929, when he wandered into the Chicago snow and froze to death.