Calvin Jackson
Encyclopedia
Calvin Jackson was an American jazz
pianist, composer, and bandleader.
Jackson played piano from childhood and studied at Juilliard
and New York University
. He worked early in his career with Frankie Fairfax, then worked in Hollywood from 1943-47 as an assistant director of music for MGM. In 1947 he recorded with Phil Moore
and also under his own name as a solo pianist for Discovery Records
. He played with Mildred Bailey
in New York
in 1948, then moved to Toronto
in 1950, where he played often on television and radio. Over the course of the 1950s and early 1960s he released several LPs for labels such as Columbia Records
.
In 1957 he returned to Los Angeles
, where he continued to work as a composer for film and television. He also arranged for Ray Charles
at one point, receiving an arrangement and co-producer credit for Charles' 1964 release "Sweet & Sour Tears
" (ABC-Paramount 480).
By the early 1980s, he had moved to San Diego County, where he lived in semi-retirement in the Point Loma neighborhood, giving music lessons on a piano in his apartment. In the years before his death, he frequently sat in as a guest at the Sunday night jam sessions Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham
hosted at the Bahia resort on Mission Bay, playing piano and harmonica between sets and occasionally with the band.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist, composer, and bandleader.
Jackson played piano from childhood and studied at Juilliard
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
and New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He worked early in his career with Frankie Fairfax, then worked in Hollywood from 1943-47 as an assistant director of music for MGM. In 1947 he recorded with Phil Moore
Phil Moore (jazz musician)
Phil Moore was an African American jazz pianist, orchestral arranger, band leader, and recording artist.-Biography:...
and also under his own name as a solo pianist for Discovery Records
Discovery Records
Discovery Records was a United States-based record label known for its recordings of jazz music.Discovery was founded in 1948 by jazz fan and promoter Albert Marx...
. He played with Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey was a popular and influential American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "The Rockin' Chair Lady" and "Mrs. Swing"...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1948, then moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1950, where he played often on television and radio. Over the course of the 1950s and early 1960s he released several LPs for labels such as Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
.
In 1957 he returned to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he continued to work as a composer for film and television. He also arranged for Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
at one point, receiving an arrangement and co-producer credit for Charles' 1964 release "Sweet & Sour Tears
Sweet & Sour Tears
Sweet & Sour Tears is a 1964 album by Ray Charles. It is a concept album featuring songs with titles or lyrics referring to crying. In 1997, Rhino Records reissued the album on compact disc with seven bonus tracks from his early career that added to the "crying" theme.-Side one:# "Cry" - 3:34#...
" (ABC-Paramount 480).
By the early 1980s, he had moved to San Diego County, where he lived in semi-retirement in the Point Loma neighborhood, giving music lessons on a piano in his apartment. In the years before his death, he frequently sat in as a guest at the Sunday night jam sessions Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham
Jimmy Cheatham
Jimmy Cheatham was an American jazz trombonist and teacher who played with Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Ornette Coleman. In 1978, Cheatham was invited to head the jazz program at University of California, San Diego and, in 1979, he was appointed head of the African American and jazz...
hosted at the Bahia resort on Mission Bay, playing piano and harmonica between sets and occasionally with the band.
Discography
Phil Moore Orchestra, Piano Concerto with Calvin Jackson, Discovery DL 4001 (1947)- Calvin Jackson (Discovery RecordsDiscovery RecordsDiscovery Records was a United States-based record label known for its recordings of jazz music.Discovery was founded in 1948 by jazz fan and promoter Albert Marx...
, 1949) - Calvin Jackson at the Plaza (Vik Records, 1954)
- Rave Notice (Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, 1955) - The Calvin Jackson Quartet (Columbia, 1955)
- Jazz Variations on Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (Liberty RecordsLiberty RecordsLiberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
3071, 1958) - Cal-Essence/Calvin at the Piano (Raynote, 1959)
- Jazz Variations on Movie Themes (Reprise RecordsReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, 1961) - Two Sides of Calvin Jackson (Reprise RecordsReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, 1961)