The Jamaican bass participant got here of age throughout the rocksteady period which ran from 1966-68. Jackie Jackson held that place at Treasure Isle as a member of The Supersonics, home band on the legendary studio, run by producer Duke Reid.
From central Kingston, Jackson was educated as a pianist however switched to bass when he went to Treasure Isle, the place he performed on quite a few hit songs by Alton Ellis, The Melodians, Ken Parker, and Ken Boothe.
Jackson is greatest recognized for being bassist for 50 years with Toots And The Maytals. That run ended with Toots’ dying in 2020, however the lanky “bassy” remains to be lively on the north coast scene and plans to renew touring this 12 months with oBessa — a band that contains former members of The Maytals.
Just lately, Jackson spoke to the Jamaica Observer about his profession.
Howard Campbell (HC): What made rocksteady and enjoying at Treasure Isle so particular?
Jackie Jackson (JJ): The best legacy of rocksteady is that it’s the perfect style of Jamaican music and it’ll all the time be remembered as such. Treasure Isle Studios was particular for me, as a result of I used to be given an opportunity to hone my craft and develop my inventive skill with out concern or intimidation.
HC: What sort of bass did you play at Treasure Isle?
JJ: 4-string Fender Precision… dat mek all a di hit dem!
HC: What do you play now?
JJ: A six-string Warwick. It’s German-made.
HC: What’s the distinction between enjoying four-string, five-string, and six-string bass?
JJ: To begin with, I noticed it as a problem to maneuver from 4 to 5 then six. The music had modified worldwide, producers have been utilizing keyboards to play bass. The B string on the five-string and the C string on the six-string offer you that depth, the underside. Due to that, the bass man begin sound like a guitarist, an’ all people cease being rhythmic bass gamers and grow to be melodic bass gamers. Your skill as a bass participant and musician hit the roof. Some man nonetheless comfy with the four-string, but it surely is determined by what you need.
HC: What are your fondest recollections of touring with Toots?
JJ: It was our first tour. Opening for Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles. Additionally, opening for The Rolling Stones.
HC: Identify the favorite rocksteady bass strains you performed.
JJ: Alton Ellis …
Rock Regular
The Jamaicans …
Ba Ba Increase
The Wailers …
Thank You Lord
The Melodians …
You’ve Caught Me Child
The Melodians …
Little Nut Tree
Ken Boothe …
Say you
The Methods …
Queen Majesty
Dobby Dobson … I’m A Loving Pauper
HC: Bass strains you want you had performed…
JJ:
You Don’t Care … The Methods (performed by Boris Gardiner)
Candy Speaking … The Heptones (performed by Leroy Sibbles)
Baltimore … The Tamlins (performed by Robbie Shakespeare)
Zimbabwe … Bob Marley (performed by Aston “Familyman” Barrett)
Breakfast In Mattress … Lorna Bennett (Performed by Val Douglas)
Jackie Jackson, producer and musician, is flanked by his two daughters Jheanell (left), non-public banker, and Jhanine (proper), leasing supervisor and realtor. (Joseph Wellington)
Toots Hibbert (left), frontman of Toots and The Maytals, with band members (again row) bass guitarist Jackie Jackson and drummer Paul Douglas. At entrance are: Carl Harvey, guitarist; Radcliffe “Douggie” Bryan, guitarist; and Charles Farquharson, keyboard participant. The event was on the Okay West Resort in Kensington, London, England, in 2017.
Veteran bass guitarist Clifton “Jackie” Jackson shows his Sam Sharpe Award Picture: Philp Lemonte
