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Anthony Jackson

Anthony Jackson (b. 1952) is quite simply a legendary figure in modern music. Although his first steps into music were with the piano and guitar he switched to the electric bass after hearing Motown bassist James Jamerson.

Having played on over 3000 recording sessions it is safe to say that Anthony Jackson is one of the most prolific recording artists ever, although in a career spanning four decades he declined offers to record a solo album until a meeting with Greek bassist/composer Yiorgos Fakanas who proposed they record as co-leaders. The result is Interspirit (Abstract Logix, 2010), an original-sounding fusion album with which brings together the best of Greek musiicans on strings, brass and top American musicians of the fusion genre.

Jackson has played with and recorded with some of the greatest names in modern music including Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack, Michel Petrucciani, Mike Stern, Quincy Jones, Pat Metheny, The O'Jays, Steely Dan and Wayne Krantz among many others.

The inventor of the six-string electric bass which he calls the contrabass guitar, Anthony Jackson has left an enormously influential mark on popular music and influenced countless electric bass guitarists.


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199
Album Review

Steve Khan: Parting Shot

Read "Parting Shot" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


It's tough for artists to remain viable in a fast-paced environment in which hype is focused on the latest flavor of the week or whatever technology and media is creating a buzz. As usual, jazz gets caught in the flux, but guitarist Steve Khan continues to demonstrate that it's not just about the technology or complexity, but the music and who's playing it. Off the heels of the superb live recording The Suitcase (Tone Center, 2008), Khan continues his love ...

271
Album Review

Steve Khan: Parting Shot

Read "Parting Shot" reviewed by John Kelman


Evolution is one of those things where an artist either gradually shifts direction, or makes sudden quantum leaps. Guitarist Steve Khan has done both in a career dating back four decades, and the first of three hot fusion records for Columbia as a leader, Tightrope (1977), that fit firmly in The Brecker Brothers camp, but, with an in-your-face guitar presence that ran the occasional risk of over-dominance. Khan had a clear epiphany with Evidence (Arista, 1980), an overlooked gem interpreting ...

1,277
Interview

Anthony Jackson and Yiorgos Fakanas: Interspirits

Read "Anthony Jackson and Yiorgos Fakanas: Interspirits" reviewed by Ian Patterson


It may come as a surprise to anyone wading through bass guitar giant Anthony Jackson's discography, which mind bogglingly totals over three thousand recordings, that he has never recorded a solo album. The legendary bassist--who has played with an astonishing variety of artists of the caliber of Chick Corea, Roberta Flack, the O'Jays, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Michel Petrucciani, Michel Camilo, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Steely Dan and Wayne Krantz to name but a small number--has simply never ...

487
Album Review

Anthony Jackson / Yiorgos Fakanas: Interspirit

Read "Interspirit" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Although receiving billing as Anthony Jackson's first solo CD in a career spanning four decades, this is really a tale of two bassists. Greek bassist/composer Yiorgos Fakanas wrote all the music on Interspirit and takes all five bass solos. The music, however, was composed with the formidably talented Jackson in mind, and his legions of admirers will be delighted by his improvised and composed bass lines. His playing demands close listening behind the multi-instrument orchestration, plying fusion and funk with ...

451
Album Review

Anthony Jackson / Yiorgos Fanakas: Interspirit

Read "Interspirit" reviewed by John Kelman


He's performed with a seemingly countless array of artists--from Roberta Flack and Steely Dan to Chick Corea, John Scofield, and Steve Khan--but electric contrabassist Anthony Jackson, now approaching 60, is that rare consummate sideman who has never released an album as a leader/co-leader. Until now. Interspirit teams the inveterate bassist with Greek bassist Yiorgos Fakanas for an ambitious album of high power fusion and funk that may be bass heavy, but never loses sight of the larger musical perspective.

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235

Interview

Bassists Anthony Jackson and Yiorgos Fakanas Interviewed at AAJ

Bassists Anthony Jackson and Yiorgos Fakanas Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

It may come as a surprise to anyone wading through bass guitar giant Anthony Jackson's discography, which mind bogglingly totals over three thousand recordings, that he has never recorded a solo album. The legendary bassist--who has played with an astonishing variety of artists of the caliber of Chick Corea, Roberta Flack, the O'Jays, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Michel Petrucciani, Michel Camilo, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Steely Dan and Wayne Krantz to name but a small number--has simply never ...

140

Recording

Legendary and Trendsetting Bassist Anthony Jackson to Release His First-Ever Solo Record on Abstract Logix Music

Legendary and Trendsetting Bassist Anthony Jackson to Release His First-Ever Solo Record on  Abstract Logix Music

Source: Abstract Logix

From his cornerstone role on seminal pop, fusion and jazz recordings with everyone from Chaka Khan and Steely Dan to Chick Corea and Quincy Jones, to his invention of the 6-string contrabass guitar and revolutionary use of a flanger pedal on the O'Jays' smash, “For the Love of Money," Anthony Jackson has long been the bassist's bassist. About the only milestone missing from Jackson's remarkable career is a solo album. Until now. Via the proposal and pen of his good ...

Chris Trinidad
multi-instrumentalist

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Electric Chick...

Verve Records
2023

buy

Cosmopolitan Life

Ole Records, Pier 5
2015

buy

Parting Shot

Tone Center
2011

buy

Interspirit

Abstract Logix
2010

buy

Do It Again - The...

Verve Records
2007

buy

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