There is great and then there is Anthony Jackson

[LHbassist]

O.K., this is 1975. Almost a half- Century ago. Not one tune on this stunning, but overlooked album, is in 4/4. Steve Gadd, and Anthony playing their butts off. Anthony's unison lines with Ursula Dudziak, are mind blowing. His comping off time, and note choices and placement, in odd signatures sounds so relaxed and unique.. an incredibly gifted musician, and a huge major influence on the electric bass world, in playing and the design of the instrument itself.

 

[Flaked Beans]

M

He is beyond good, he has a unique vision of the instrument.

Amen.

 

[Bassy Davy]

O.K., this is 1975. Almost a half- Century ago. Not one tune on this stunning, but overlooked album, is in 4/4. Steve Gadd, and Anthony playing their butts off. Anthony's unison lines with Ursula Dudziak, are mind blowing. His comping off time, and note choices and placement, in odd signatures sounds so relaxed and unique.. an incredibly gifted musician, and a huge major influence on the electric bass world, in playing and the design of the instrument itself.

Thanks for posting this LH! What a great find. This is the group that I saw live back in the 70's that I commented on earlier in the thread.

 

[double8vb]

Anthony Jackson is probably my most admired electric bass player. Absolute master of the instrument and incredible musician. Easy to dismiss because we have probably all heard the song a million times, For the Love of Money. if you haven't listened to it in a while, give it a listen. Incredibly precise and intentional and creative! I think Mr. Jackson was in his early twenties when he recorded that and you can already hear his style developing. Not sure if this was posted but it's one of my fav videos of his playing. I tried to find a US version of the DVD for purchase but I don't think it exists. His playing is so powerful even members of the band are at a loss for an appropriate reaction and start laughing. Also, Cliff Almond is a monster on the drums!

 

[J3A55J3OY]

I had the honor and privilege of meeting and seeing Anthony play last year at Tambour Bistro and Wine Bar in Brooklyn, NY. I met Fodera co-owners Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella for the first time back in July 2022 for a setup on my Fodera 6 string, and Joey invited me to sit in for him on a couple of tunes when his band was playing at Tambour a few days later. When he invited me, Joey told me that Jaco's granddaughter would be there, as well as Anthony Jackson, who would also be sitting in on some tunes. There was no way I was going to turn down that invite!

I got to meet and speak with Anthony for a long time during the course of the evening. He is a very intelligent and insightful man. He gave me guidance and encouragement and told me that I have what it takes to be successful as a bassist (from a skills standpoint). Hearing this from HIM helped me shake-off much of the doubt that I had about my abilities and potential and gave me the confidence to leave high school early for Berklee. Meeting him was truly a life-changing experience.

Some video snippets of that evening can be seen here:

As you know, based solely on your initial question, Anthony has been recovering from a health issue he experienced some years ago. He's getting his chops back to the level that he demands of himself (he's still a great player, mind you!), but while he does that he prefers not to be recorded while he plays. I plan on visiting him shortly after this semester ends, so I'll give an update then.

EDIT; Just found this:

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I had the honor and privilege of meeting and seeing Anthony play last year at Tambour Bistro and Wine Bar in Brooklyn, NY. I met Fodera co-owners Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella for the first time back in July 2022 for a setup on my Fodera 6 string, and Joey invited me to sit in for him on a couple of tunes when his band was playing at Tambour a few days later. When he invited me, Joey told me that Jaco's granddaughter would be there, as well as Anthony Jackson, who would also be sitting in on some tunes. There was no way I was going to turn down that invite!

I got to meet and speak with Anthony for a long time during the course of the evening. He is a very intelligent and insightful man. He gave me guidance and encouragement and told me that I have what it takes to be successful as a bassist (from a skills standpoint). Hearing this from HIM helped me shake-off much of the doubt that I had about my abilities and potential and gave me the confidence to leave high school early for Berklee. Meeting him was truly a life-changing experience.

Some video snippets of that evening can be seen here:

As you know, based solely on your initial question, Anthony has been recovering from a health issue he experienced some years ago. He's getting his chops back to the level that he demands of himself (he's still a great player, mind you!), but while he does that he prefers not to be recorded while he plays. I plan on visiting him shortly after this semester ends, so I'll give an update then.

EDIT; Just found this:

If Anthony Jackson says you are good enough, never doubt yourself again, but never be so arrogant that you don't listen to constructive criticism because you can be both a great player and a jackass.

 

[jerry]

I had the honor and privilege of meeting and seeing Anthony play last year at Tambour Bistro and Wine Bar in Brooklyn, NY. I met Fodera co-owners Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella for the first time back in July 2022 for a setup on my Fodera 6 string, and Joey invited me to sit in for him on a couple of tunes when his band was playing at Tambour a few days later. When he invited me, Joey told me that Jaco's granddaughter would be there, as well as Anthony Jackson, who would also be sitting in on some tunes. There was no way I was going to turn down that invite!

I got to meet and speak with Anthony for a long time during the course of the evening. He is a very intelligent and insightful man. He gave me guidance and encouragement and told me that I have what it takes to be successful as a bassist (from a skills standpoint). Hearing this from HIM helped me shake-off much of the doubt that I had about my abilities and potential and gave me the confidence to leave high school early for Berklee. Meeting him was truly a life-changing experience.

Some video snippets of that evening can be seen here:

As you know, based solely on your initial question, Anthony has been recovering from a health issue he experienced some years ago. He's getting his chops back to the level that he demands of himself (he's still a great player, mind you!), but while he does that he prefers not to be recorded while he plays. I plan on visiting him shortly after this semester ends, so I'll give an update then.

EDIT; Just found this:

You're killin' in that clip man!

 

[J3A55J3OY]

If Anthony Jackson says you are good enough, never doubt yourself again, but never be so arrogant that you don't listen to constructive criticism because you can be both a great player and a jackass.

TRUTH!

 

[J3A55J3OY]

You're killin' in that clip man!

Thanks man! That's what hanging with AJ does for your playing!

Regarding that second video I appended to my original post, I had forgotten that I was there that night in August when Anthony played again. I didn't sit in that night. I almost did, but AJ was having such a great time and playing so great it just would have been wrong on so many levels for me to (1) take his seat; and (2) commit career suicide by trying to follow HIM!

Here's a few photos from that night:

If anyone reading this is ever in the NYC/Brooklyn area, you really should check out Tambour. And if you do go to jam, please support the establishment (have a drink or two; try their calamari salad or the Tamburger). These small jazz hangs have had it rough for the past few years due to the pandemic, and it kills me when I see people show up just to hop on stage, play, and then leave without buying so much as a soda.

 

[cxcxcx]

Anthony's been the subject of many TB posts and even letters to the editor back in the Bass Player Magazine days for being haughty, aloof, and being an overly opinionated blowhard. Alas, the sage can point to the moon, but the fool always points to his finger…

For those of us that have met the man and don't get a intimidated by the use of words with more 3-4 syllables, these last few posts show the Anthony I've known. It's not a case of illness humbling him - he's always been like that. A warm and friendly guy, if not a little guarded, who takes his art much more seriously than most. He genuinely appreciates those who recognize him and his work. Nobody has a 40 year studio career, regardless of talent, without social skills and being easy to be around.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I had the honor and privilege of meeting and seeing Anthony play last year at Tambour Bistro and Wine Bar in Brooklyn, NY. I met Fodera co-owners Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella for the first time back in July 2022 for a setup on my Fodera 6 string, and Joey invited me to sit in for him on a couple of tunes when his band was playing at Tambour a few days later. When he invited me, Joey told me that Jaco's granddaughter would be there, as well as Anthony Jackson, who would also be sitting in on some tunes. There was no way I was going to turn down that invite!

I got to meet and speak with Anthony for a long time during the course of the evening. He is a very intelligent and insightful man. He gave me guidance and encouragement and told me that I have what it takes to be successful as a bassist (from a skills standpoint). Hearing this from HIM helped me shake-off much of the doubt that I had about my abilities and potential and gave me the confidence to leave high school early for Berklee. Meeting him was truly a life-changing experience.

Some video snippets of that evening can be seen here:

As you know, based solely on your initial question, Anthony has been recovering from a health issue he experienced some years ago. He's getting his chops back to the level that he demands of himself (he's still a great player, mind you!), but while he does that he prefers not to be recorded while he plays. I plan on visiting him shortly after this semester ends, so I'll give an update then.

EDIT; Just found this:

You are blessed with great talent. Stay humble and you will go far. I'm sure you hold those memories and being able to interact with AJ dear to your heart forever. What a great inspiration to have that encouragement from such a great forerunner .

 

[J3A55J3OY]

You are blessed with great talent. Stay humble and you will go far. I'm sure you hold those memories and being able to interact with AJ dear to your heart forever. What a great inspiration to have that encouragement from such a great forerunner .

Thank you for the compliment! And for sure, while getting "two thumbs up" from the legend who invented and defined the 6-string contrabass guitar was a HUGE uplift and something I will never forget, I just feel so fortunate that I've been able to hear his anecdotes and words of wisdom and share some music, laughs, and good times...and I hope to do more of that relatively soon.

 

[winston]

Haha, thrilling to have your playing endorsed by AJ himself! I agree with the title of this thread, in my 38 years as a bassist there is a very very small list of players who I feel are at the pinnacle in terms of creative vision, fearlessness, and technical mastery, who are flexible enough to fit into any situation yet still always sound like themselves, and while being very consistent in quality are always surprising in their musical choices. For me the list includes Anthony Jackson, Pino Palladino, Oteil Burbridge, Tony Levin, and Linley Marthe.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Anthony's been the subject of many TB posts and even letters to the editor back in the Bass Player Magazine days for being haughty, aloof, and being an overly opinionated blowhard. Alas, the sage can point to the moon, but the fool always points to his finger…

For those of us that have met the man and don't get a intimidated by the use of words with more 3-4 syllables, these last few posts show the Anthony I've known. It's not a case of illness humbling him - he's always been like that. A warm and friendly guy, if not a little guarded, who takes his art much more seriously than most. He genuinely appreciates those who recognize him and his work. Nobody has a 40 year studio career, regardless of talent, without social skills and being easy to be around.

Been obsessing over AJ for the last month or so. His playing is as close to perfection as I can conceive of.

I know very little about the man. Do you remember any of his controversial opinions? I have a lot of sympathy for highly intelligent people, which AJ appeared to have been. A lot of people think smart folks are mean or snobby, but imagine wanting to talk about Melville when most people barely understand See Spot Run.

 

[cxcxcx]

Been obsessing over AJ for the last month or so. His playing is as close to perfection as I can conceive of.

I know very little about the man. Do you remember any of his controversial opinions? I have a lot of sympathy for highly intelligent people, which AJ appeared to have been. A lot of people think smart folks are mean or snobby, but imagine wanting to talk about Melville when most people barely understand See Spot Run.

Most of his more "divisive" and "controversial" statements emerged in his short-lived column contributions in Bass Player Magazine ages ago, as well as earlier longform interviews in guitar player magazine, written by the great Chris Jisi. There's a history of pundits and commenters that considered AJ a prententious blowhard, but I never did. I took the time to listen, consider the source and keep his profoundly impactful contributions in mind. At an early age, I knew that you could always take what you needed from him (or anyone else) and leave the rest behind.

Later on, I encountered him regularly in CT and NYC and found him to be much more engaged, warm, and friendly than how he came across in print. He was fiercely brilliant and could comment about HAM Radio, commercial aircraft, weather formations, and Rachmaninov as authoritatively as he could about the bass guitar. A markedly unique guy, one-of-a-kind and a type that had to be experienced. That doesn't diminish how demanding and dedicated to perfection he was in studios and stages. This is where the longstanding (and true) stories of changing strings between every take and demanding to punch in over takes that seemed flawless to everyone in the room but him took hold.

The GP interview is actually in posts seen here on TB - it goes over a few posts by member oldognewtrick -

Post in thread 'Anthony Jackson'

Sep 14, 2008

The Anthony Jackson Interview
Part 1: Inspirations

By Chris Jisi



The electric bass guitar was a brilliant invention, but its acceptance came slowly. Although Monk Montgomery and a few other pioneers latched onto the early Fenders immediately, a decade went by before the instrument's first virtuoso, Motown sideman James Jamerson, gave it legitimacy and respectability. Inspired by Jamerson's brilliant-and uncredited-work, such stylists as Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, and Larry Graham brought the instrument center-stage in the late '60s.

Over the past two decades...

• OldogNewTrick

 

[paul ricci]

I have been obsessing over Anthony since hearing him play so many times in the NY clubs from the 80's on.
I`m a new member here so I don't know if allowed for self promotion, BUT I just released an album on Origin with tracks that Anthony recorded for me in 1997!!! It`s "new" AJ ...for the listening market at least. He blew me away in the studio and still does with every listen. He plays on 5 cuts on the album.
I feel it`s my duty to share ....thanks Anthony.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

I have been obsessing over Anthony since hearing him play so many times in the NY clubs from the 80's on.
I`m a new member here so I don't know if allowed for self promotion, BUT I just released an album on Origin with tracks that Anthony recorded for me in 1997!!! It`s "new" AJ ...for the listening market at least. He blew me away in the studio and still does with every listen. He plays on 5 cuts on the album.
I feel it`s my duty to share ....thanks Anthony.

Thank you Paul! I'm new to your work, but love it immediately

 

[Flaked Beans]

Anthony J. was the one! RIP Anthony!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I have been obsessing over Anthony since hearing him play so many times in the NY clubs from the 80's on.
I`m a new member here so I don't know if allowed for self promotion, BUT I just released an album on Origin with tracks that Anthony recorded for me in 1997!!! It`s "new" AJ ...for the listening market at least. He blew me away in the studio and still does with every listen. He plays on 5 cuts on the album.
I feel it`s my duty to share ....thanks Anthony.

Cool!