Cliff Jackson (musician)

Clifton Luther Jackson (July 19, 1902 – May 24, 1970) was an American stride pianist.

Cliff Jackson
Cliff Jackson at the piano in 1947, photo by William P. Gottlieb
Background information
Birth name	Clifton Luther Jackson
Born	July 19, 1902 Culpeper, Virginia
Died	May 24, 1970 (aged 67) New York City
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano

Career

After playing in Atlantic City, Jackson moved to New York City in 1923,[1] where he played with Lionel Howard's Musical Aces in 1924 and recorded with Bob Fuller and Elmer Snowden. He led his own ensemble, the Krazy Kats, for recordings in 1930, and following this group's dissolution he played extensively as a solo pianist in nightclubs in New York.[1] During this time he also accompanied singers such as Viola McCoy, Lena Wilson, Sara Martin, Martha Copeland, Helen Gross, and Clara Smith. He recorded with Sidney Bechet in 1940-41,[1] and recorded as a soloist or leader in 1944-45, 1961, and 1969. As house pianist at Cafe Society from 1943-51 he was a great success; he also toured with Eddie Condon in 1946. He also played with Garvin Bushell (1950), J.C. Higginbotham (1960), and Joe Thomas (1962).

Musical style

As shown by many of his 1944-1945 solo piano recordings, such as "Limehouse Blues", Jackson was one of the most powerful stride piano players.[1] His style was also marked by a contrapuntal-like bass work. His many left hand techniques are found explained in detail in Riccardo Scivales's method Jazz Piano: The Left Hand (Bedford Hills, New York: Ekay Music, 2005).

Personal life

Jackson was married to the singer Maxine Sullivan from 1950 until his death from heart failure in 1970.[1]

Discography

As leader

• Uptown and Lowdown (Prestige, 1961)
• Carolina Shout! (Black Lion, 1973)
• Cliff Jackson and His Crazy Kats 1930 (Retrieval, 1981)
• Recorded in New York 1926–34 (Jazz Oracle, 2003)

As sideman

• Sidney Bechet, Bechet of New Orleans (RCA Victor, 1965)
• Bunny Berigan, 1935–1936 (Classics, 1993)
• Eddie Condon, The Eddie Condon Concerts (Chiaroscuro, 1972)
• Eddie Condon, The Town Hall Concerts Vol. Four (Jazzology, 1989)
• The Delfonics, La La Means I Love You (Philly Groove, 1968)
• Helen Gross, 1924–1925 (Document, 1988)
• Coleman Hawkins, Years Ago (Prestige, 1964)
• Rosa Henderson, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Vol. 4 (Document, 1995)
• Alberta Hunter, Lucille Hegamin, Victoria Spivey, Songs We Taught Your Mother (Prestige, 1962)
• Lonnie Johnson, Idle Hours (Prestige, 1987)
• Jimmy Rushing, The Jazz Odyssey of Jimmy Rushing (Philips, 1957)
• Al Sears, Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Swingville, 1961)
• Elmer Snowden, Harlem Banjo (Riverside, 1960)

References

1. Scott Yanow. "Cliff Jackson | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-25.

Bibliography

• Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler, The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press, 1999, ISBN 978-0195320008, p. 345.