Anthony Jackson: 23/06/1952 – 19/10/2025

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The great bass guitarist Anthony Jackson, born 23 June 1952 in New York City, has died aged 73 after a lifetime of acclaimed session work and performances with countless musical luminaries

Beginning on piano and guitar in his youth, Anthony Jackson was drawn to the electric bass through the influence of Motown’s legendary bassist James Jamerson. He quickly became one of the most sought-after session musicians of his time, contributing to thousands of recordings across jazz, fusion, R&B and pop.

Perhaps his most enduring legacy lies in his bold re-imagining of the bass instrument itself. Frustrated by the limitations of the traditional four-string bass, and experimenting with lower tunings on a regular four-string, Jackson conceived and championed the six-string “contrabass guitar”, expanding the tonal and harmonic possibilities of the instrument. Working closely with Brooklyn-based custom bass luthiers Fodera, these experiments resulted in the company issuing the first Anthony Jackson Signature Model contrabass model in 1984, which was followed in 1989 by the hugely influential ‘single cutaway’ model, also known as the Anthony Jackson Presentation Contrabass Guitar.

With that innovation, he influenced an entire generation of bass players and reshaped the vocabulary and sound of the instrument as well as its looks. Throughout his career, his distinctive playing appeared on seminal tracks and albums. From the iconic picked, phaser-soaked bass intro on ‘For the Love of Money’ by The O'Jays to recordings with artists as diverse as Chaka Khan, Michel Camilo, Steely Dan, Al DiMeola, Quincy Jones, Steve Khan's Eyewitness, Luther Vandross, Lee Ritenour, Michel Petrucciani, Pat Metheny and Paul Simon, Jackson’s bass lines were not just supportive — they were essential, inventive, melodic and deeply musical.

Jackson’s studio output was as voluminous as it as was impeccable, but it was in the live setting that his commanding presence on his large custom Fodera six-string was felt the strongest. I was fortunate to hear him perform several times: at Ronnie Scott’s in a heavyweight line-up fronted by Mike Stern; at his beloved 55 Bar in New York in a phenomenally hard-hitting trio with Wayne Krantz and Keith Carlock; and, perhaps most memorably, at the Jazz Café in London with Japanese piano star Hiromi. With the venue packed to the rafters, the stage became a crucible of sound — Jackson connecting telepathically with Hiromi’s left hand, with drummer Simon Phillips completing the sonic fireworks. His bass – a huge, white, holly topped Fodera, perched on his lap – was delicately thunderous, always so precise and penetrating, from the lowest piano-like tones to classical guitar-esque highs.

Despite his enormous output (over 3,000 sessions, more than 500 albums), he remained dedicated to his craft, constantly refining ideas and elevating each musical context he entered. His humility and precision made him the consummate sideman: always in service of the music, always bringing something fresh. His 2007 ‘solo album’ collaboration with virtuoso Greek bassist and composer Yiorgos Fakanas on their album Interspirit revealed a more flamboyant side to Jackson, on a set packed with intense unison lines and full-throated jazz fusion. The all-star cast on the album included Dave Weckl, Frank Gambale, Mitch Forman, multi-reedist Takis Paterelis, trombonist Antonis Andreou, and some stunning bass work by co-leader Yiorgos Fakanas, Interspirit packed the kind of low-end punch one would expect from such a bass giant as Jackson.

In later years, Anthony faced serious health challenges, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and the aftermath of strokes, which eventually curtailed his live performances. A benefit concert held earlier in 2025 underscored the respect and admiration the music community had for him — when bass icons united “For the Love of Anthony.” Anthony Jackson leaves behind a musical legacy that will resonate through generations. His playing, innovations and influence will continue to inspire generations of bassists and musicians to come.

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