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Brian Jackson is an American keyboardist, flautist, singer, composer, and producer known for his collaborations with Gil Scott-Heron.
Released several collaborative albums with Gil Scott-Heron through Arista Records, including 'Bridges' (1977), 'The First Minute of a New Day' (1975), 'From South Africa to South Carolina' (1975), 'It's Your World' (1976), 'Secrets' (1978), and '1980' (1980). Also released singles like 'Hello Sunday! Hello Road!' (1977) and 'Racetrack in France' (1977) through the label.
Released 'Winter in America' (1974) and 'The Bottle' (1974) with Gil Scott-Heron through Strata-East Records after a dispute with Flying Dutchman Records, demonstrating a move to a more artist-friendly label.
Collaborated with the group on their album 'Something Special' in 1981.
Engaged in collaborations, contributing to her musical work.
Worked with Will Downing on his self-titled album 'Will Downing' (1988) and 'Come Together as One' (1989), both released under Island/Polygram.
Contributed to Gwen Guthrie's album 'Hot Times' in 1990, released under Reprise.
Featured as a guest performer on Jackson's solo album 'Gotta Play' (2000) and collaborated on Ayers' album 'Drive' (1988) released under Ichiban.
Contributed to Pete Miser's solo album 'Camouflage is Relative'.
Contributed to Alabama 3's album 'MOR' (2007), released under One Little Indian.
Collaborated on Carl Hancock Rux's album 'Homeostasis' (2013), released under CD Baby.
Collaborated on the project named 'Jazz is Dead' with a release in 2021, and specifically on the album 'Brian Jackson JID008'.
Released his solo album 'This Is Brian Jackson' in 2022 through BBE Music, produced by Daniel Collás.
Contributed to their album 'Nü Revolution' (2011), released under Shanachie.
Collaborated on their album 'City Life' (2019), released under Escort Records.
Contributed to Moffett's album 'Bright New Day' (2019), released under Motéma.
Engaged in various collaborations as a band leader, sharing a socially-minded hip hop perspective.
Collaborated on various projects as a band leader, alongside other socially-minded hip hop artists.
Released 'Pieces of a Man' (1971) and 'Free Will' (1972) with Gil Scott-Heron.
Brian Robert Jackson was born on October 11, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York. His early life involved living in Bedford-Stuyvesant and later Flatbush with his family. He began his musical education at a young age, studying with Hepzibah Ross for seven years, who provided him with a scholarship due to his musical aptitude. During his time at Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School from 1965 to 1969, Jackson engaged in various music programs and formed bands, laying the groundwork for his future career.
Jackson’s significant professional journey began when he met Gil Scott-Heron while both were attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. This meeting led to a decade-long partnership in writing, producing, and recording. Jackson was responsible for composing much of the music that defined their collaborative sound, notably the distinctive Rhodes electric piano and flute accompaniments. Their first album together, “Pieces of a Man,” was released in 1971. This was followed by “Free Will” in 1972, and in 1974, Jackson received co-billing for “Winter in America,” an album later recognized as a key work.
Throughout the 1970s, Jackson and Scott-Heron released ten albums. Their collaboration produced iconic tracks such as “The Bottle” in 1974, which became a significant hit. After their partnership concluded in 1980, Jackson remained active in the music industry. He collaborated with various notable artists and groups, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Will Downing, and Gwen Guthrie. His debut solo album, “Gotta Play,” was released in October 2000, featuring guest artists like Roy Ayers and Gil Scott-Heron. From 1983 to 2017, Jackson also worked in the IT Division of the City of New York as a programmer and project manager. More recently, in 2021, he worked on the “Jazz is Dead” project with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, and in 2022, he released his solo album, “This Is Brian Jackson,” produced by Daniel Collás and released on BBE Music.
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