Based in Atlanta, Georgia,[1][2][3] Jackson began his career as an R&B saxophonist.[4] He performed in Little Richard's band from 1951 until 1953.[4] Jackson also accompanied vocalist Billy Wright, appearing on several recordings for Savoy Records.[3] Later in the decade, he joined vocalist Lloyd Price's band, performing in concert tours during a peak in Price's popularity.[4] Jackson also served as the bandleader for vocalist Chuck Willis.[5] In 1961, Jackson recorded with B.B. King.[4]
Jackson began making jazz recordings during the early 1960s, accompanying soul jazz organists such as John Patton and Baby Face Willette on several Blue Note albums.[4] In 1962, he recorded one album, Hootin' 'n Tootin', under his own name for Blue Note.[1][4] (The album's organist, Earl Van Dyke, later joined the Funk Brothers at Motown.[6]) Jackson led a subsequent recording session for Blue Note, but these tracks were not released until 1998, when they were appended to the CD edition of Hootin' 'n Tootin'.[4]
After the mid-1960s, Jackson continued playing R&B and soul music but largely disappeared from the jazz scene.[4]
