Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson

Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson

born on 25/4/1932 in Miami, FL, United States

died on 25/10/1987 in New York City, NY, United States

Willis Jackson (saxophonist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Willis "Gator" Jackson (April 25, 1932 – October 25, 1987)[1] was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

Biography

Born in Miami, Florida,[1] Jackson joined Duke Ellington alumnus Cootie Williams's band in 1949 as a teenager, after being discovered by Eddie Vinson. During the 1950s Jackson participated in R&B and jazz recordings, primarily as a session musician. He also toured as leader of the backing band of singer Ruth Brown, whom he married.[1] Jackson joined Prestige Records in 1959, making a string of jazz albums that proved to an influence on the burgeoning soul jazz movement. During this era, Jack McDuff and Pat Martino became famous through association with Jackson. Jackson's main influences were Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet.

Jamaican ska innovator Prince Buster has cited Jackson's song "Later for the Gator" as one of the first ska songs.[2]

Jackson died in New York one week after heart surgery, in October 1987, at the age of 55.[1]

Discography

  • Please Mr. Jackson (Prestige, 1959) - with Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings
  • Cool "Gator" (Prestige, 195960) with Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings [also released as Keep on a Blowin]
  • Blue Gator (Prestige, 195960)
  • Cookin' Sherry (Prestige, 1959-60 1961)
  • Together Again! (Prestige, 1959-60 [1965]) - with Jack McDuff
  • Really Groovin' (Prestige, 1961)[also released as Swingtime]
  • In My Solitude (Moodsville, 1961)
  • Together Again, Again (Prestige 1959-1961 [1966]) - with Brother Jack McDuff
  • Thunderbird (Prestige, 1962)
  • Johnny "Hammond" Cooks with Gator Tail (Prestige, 1962) - with Johnny "Hammond" Smith
  • Bossa Nova Plus (Prestige, 1962) [also released as Shuckin']
  • Neapolitan Nights (Prestige, 1962)
  • Loose... (Prestige, 1963)
  • Grease 'n' Gravy (Prestige, 1963)
  • The Good Life (Prestige, 1963)
  • More Gravy (Prestige, 1963)
  • Boss Shoutin' (Prestige, 1964)
  • Jackson's Action! (Prestige, 1964)
  • Live! Action (Prestige, 1964 [1966])
  • Soul Night/Live! (Prestige, 1964 [1966])
  • Tell It... (Prestige, 1964 [1967])
  • 'Gator Tails (Verve, 1964) [also released as Willis Jackson]
  • Smoking with Willis (Cadet, 1965)
  • Soul Grabber (Prestige, 1967)
  • Star Bag (Prestige, 1968)
  • Swivelhips (Prestige, 1968)
  • Gator's Groove (Prestige, 1968)
  • Mellow Blues (Upfront, 1970)
  • Recording Session (Big Chance, 1970)
  • Gatorade (Prestige, 1971)
  • West Africa (Muse, 1973)
  • Headed and Gutted (Muse, 1974)
  • The Way We Were (Atlantic, 1975)
  • Funky Reggae (Trip, 1976)
  • In the Alley (Muse, 1976)
  • Plays with Feeling (Cotillion), 1976
  • The Gator Horn (Muse, 1977)
  • Bar Wars (Muse, 1977)
  • Single Action - with Pat Martino (Muse, 1978)
  • Lockin' Horns - with Von Freeman (Muse, 1978)
  • In Chateauneuf du Pape (Black and Blue, 1980) - also released as Ya Understand Me? (Muse, 1980)
  • Nothin' Butt (Muse, 1980)
  • Plays Around With Hits (Jazz Trip), 19??
  • On My Own (Whiskey, Women, And ... Record Company), 1986 compilation of fifties tracks
  • The Best Of Willis Jackson Volume One - Gator's Groove (Ace), 1988 compilation of Prestige recordings

References

External links

This page was last modified 17.09.2013 07:51:46

This article uses material from the article Willis Jackson (saxophonist) from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.