Brian Jackson (musician)

Brian Jackson is a keyboardist, flautist, singer, composer, and producer. He is best known for his collaborations with Gil Scott-Heron in the 1970s. The sound of Jackson's Rhodes electric piano and flute accompaniments featured prominently in many of their compositions, most notably in the hit, "The Bottle".

The Brooklyn born Jackson met Scott-Heron while the two were attending Lincoln University (Pennsylvania). They began a decade-long writing, producing, and recording partnership. Jackson composed most of the music that he and Scott-Heron together performed and recorded. In 1971, the two released "Pieces of a Man" with Ron Carter on bass. Other notable albums include "Free Will" (1972) and "Winter in America" (1974). His biggest hit was with Scott-Heron, 1974's "The Bottle". By 1979, they had recorded ten albums, with other unreleased material surfacing on subsequent Scott-Heron releases following their 1980 split.

Jackson continued to be active in the eighties and nineties, working with Kool and the Gang, George Benson, Will Downing and Gwen Guthrie. Jackson's first solo album, "Gotta Play" (released October 2000), included guest performances by Roy Ayers and Scott-Heron. Jackson's other credits include work with Roy Ayers, Kool and the Gang, Janis Siegel (of Manhattan Transfer), Will Downing, Gwen Guthrie and with Pete Miser of (Radio Free Brooklyn) on his solo album, "Camouflage is Relative". He is credited as being a major influence in the creation of the "Neo-Soul" movement.Fact|date=October 2007

Brian Jackson is still active, recently collaborating with Masauko (of the South African duo, Blk Sonshine) and with Ladybug Mecca (of Digable Planets) on her CD, "Trip the Light Fantastic".

External links

* [http://www.brianjackson.net Brian Jackson's web site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/itsyourworld Brian Jackson's myspace page]