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Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson

Jimmy Jackson's association with jazz is a profound experience in itself. For over 20 years Jackson toured the world with legendary organist Jimmy Smith, and during the course of this prestigious tenure he also performed with other such masters as McCoy Tyner; George Benson; Carlos Santana, and Christian McBride (who refers to Jimmy as "swinging Jimmy Jackson"). Having shared the stage for so many years with these and other giants of jazz - and the list is extensive - makes Jackson a living icon in his own right.      On My Way Home features arrangements inspired by a 1961 collaboration between Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson. There are several original tunes as well that keep the musical dialogue between past and present alive and intact. There is also a previously unreleased track recorded live in Tokyo featuring the late Jimmy Smith.      Whereas many musicians who have spent their careers as sidemen have difficulty shifting their status to center stage, Jackson's soulful vocals and commanding personality allow him the opportunity to front his talented quintet as well as maintaining his status as a world class drummer. "The collaboration between Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson, was a record that really set me on fire about playing jazz when I was young," says Junebug, now 49: "On My Way Home is my way of paying tribute to them and all the other great artists who've inspired and guided me over the years."

A well meaning journalist once asked a famous trumpet player to define jazz. The response was "Man, if you don't know by now, you ain't never gonna know!" A definition of jazz is indeed elusive, but On My Way Home, by Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson, is jazz. Period. It displays a sense of timelessness and universality, a link between past and present, and that is what great art is all about.

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Album Review

Jimmy Junebug Jackson: On My Way Home

Read "On My Way Home" reviewed by Stephen Latessa


Drummer and vocalist Jimmy “Junebug Jackson steps out from the shadow of his former employer, Jimmy Smith, to pay tribute to two other legends, Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson, on this recording. In particular, On My Way Home salutes the eponymous duet album Adderley and Wilson cut together in 1961.

As is fitting for an homage to Adderley, this music has a warm and gracious feel that emulates the spirit of its inspiration. Jackson is a sterling drummer, ...

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Obituary

Jazz Drumming Legend Jimmy Junebug Jackson Has Died

Jazz Drumming Legend Jimmy Junebug Jackson Has Died

Source: Karen Frieske

Jazz drumming legend and Blue Canoe Recording Artist Jimmy “Junebug" Jackson has died. He was 55. Jackson's family announced that the musician died on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 in Washington, DC where he lived and performed until his death from congestive heart failure. For over twenty years, Jackson toured the world with legendary organist Jimmy Smith. In his time with Smith, Jackson performed with jazz greats McCoy Tyner, George Benson, Christian McBride, Mose Davis and many others. His latest recording ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

That's Wassup

Blue Canoe Records
2008

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On My Way Home

Blue Canoe Records
2006

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