Jessy Dixon, 73, gospel star

CHICAGO - Jessy Dixon, 73, a singer and songwriter who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday.

Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home. She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.

During a more-than-50-year career, Mr. Dixon wrote songs for several popular singers, including jazz and rhythm-and-blues singer Randy Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, and Amy Grant.

But it was for his gospel singing - religious music that combined the rhythmic beat of blues, jazz, and soul - that Mr. Dixon first gained attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Mr. Dixon first came to Simon's attention. For the next eight years, Mr. Dixon toured with the pop icon, collaborating on Simon's Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' and Still Crazy After All These Years albums.

He also played keyboard with Earth, Wind & Fire and guitarist Phillip Upchurch.

He was born March 12, 1938, in San Antonio. His professional compass was set by gospel-music legend James Cleveland, who heard Mr. Dixon's teen group perform at a theater in the south Texas city. Mr. Dixon said Cleveland liked the group, but he liked Mr. Dixon more, and persuaded him to move to Chicago to join his group, the Gospel Chimes, as a singer and pianist.

Mr. Dixon credited the creativity of artists such as percussionist Maurice White and blues singer Willie Dixon (no relation) with inspiring him to compose. Several of his early songs have become church classics, including "Sit at His Feet and Be Blessed," "These Old Heavy Burdens," and "I Love to Praise His Name."

His more recent compositions gained him even wider acceptance. Mr. Dixon's "I Am Redeemed" (1993) was on Billboard magazine's gospel chart for more than five years.

He also was a longtime fixture on Bill Gaither's Gospel Series, concerts broadcast on religious cable-TV stations.

During his career, Mr. Dixon produced five gold records and garnered several Grammy nominations.

Mr. Dixon is survived by a brother and sister.