Willis Jackson (saxophonist)

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

For other people named Willis Jackson, see Willis Jackson (disambiguation).
Willis Jackson
Born
Willis Jackson

April 25, 1932
Miami, Florida, United States
DiedOctober 25, 1987 (aged 55)
New York City, New York, United States
OccupationSaxophonist
Years active1948-1984

Biography

Born in Miami, Florida,[1] Jackson joined Cootie Williams's band in 1948 as a teenager, and was part of it on and off until 1955.[2] He 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 albums.[2]

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

Discography

As leader

Compilations
  • The Best of Willis Jackson With Brother Jack McDuff (Prestige, 1969)
  • The Best of Willis Jackson/Soul Stompin' (Prestige, 1970)
  • On My Own (Whiskey, Women, And... , 1986) (compilation of early Atlantic recordings 1950–1955)
  • Gator's Groove: The Best of Willis Jackson, Volume One (Ace, 1988) (compilation of Prestige recordings)
  • Call of The Gators (Delmark, 1992) (compilation of early Apollo recordings 1949–1950)
  • Gentle Gator (Prestige, 1995) (compilation drawn from four different Jackson albums)
  • Willis Jackson With Pat Martino (Prestige, 1995) (compilation of Jackson's Action! Recorded Live + Live! Action)
  • Willis...With Pat (32 Jazz, 1998) (compilation of three Muse albums: Headed And Gutted [4 tracks], Bar Wars [2 tracks], Single Action [2 tracks])
  • Legends of Acid Jazz: Willis Jackson (Prestige, 1998) (compilation of Blue Gator + Cookin' Sherry)
  • Legends of Acid Jazz: Willis Jackson – Keep On A-Blowin' (Prestige, 1999) (compilation of Keep On A-Blowin' + Thunderbird)
  • At Large (Prestige, 2000) (compilation drawn from five different Jackson albums)
  • Willis Jackson With Pat Martino – Gravy (Prestige, 2001) (compilation of Grease 'N' Gravy + The Good Life)
  • Nuther'n Like Thuther'n (Prestige, 2002) (compilation of More Gravy + Boss Shoutin' )
  • Willis Jackson With Pat Martino – Soul Night Live! (Prestige, 2002) (compilation of Soul Night/Live! + Tell It... )
  • Willis Jackson With Jack McDuff – Together Again! (Prestige, 2003) (compilation of Together Again! + Together Again, Again)
  • After Hours (Prestige, 2004) (compilation of Loose... + Soul Grabber)
  • The Chronological Willis Jackson 1950–1954 (Classics 'Blues & Rhythm Series' 5135, 2005)
  • The Remaining Willis Jackson 1951–1959 (Blue Moon 6048, 2005)
  • Later For The Gator (Acrobat 4203, 2005) (compilation/retrospective of Jackson's early career years)

As sideman

References
  1. Doc Rock. "The 1980s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  2. Yanow, Scott. "Willis "Gator" Jackson". AllMusic. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
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