Oliver Jackson

A very valuable drummer in the swing/mainstream/Dixieland scene, Oliver Jackson appeared on a countless number of sessions through the years. He was part of Detroit's very viable jazz scene in the late 1940s, playing with Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Wardell Gray, and others. Jackson also often performed as half of a variety act with Eddie Locke called Bop & Locke. The drummer worked with Yusef Lateef (1954-1956), moved to New York, and then began freelancing. He was a regular at the Metropole (1957-1958), played with Teddy Wilson, was in the Charlie Shavers Quintet (1959-1961), and worked with Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman (1962), Lionel Hampton (1962-1964), Kenny Burrell, Earl Hines (off and on during 1964-1970), and the JPJ Quartet (a co-op band with Budd Johnson). In later years Jackson was with Sy Oliver's group (1975-1980), Oscar Peterson, George Wein's Newport All-Stars, and many short-term bands. He led sessions for Dalahay (in Switzerland in 1961) and for at least live albums for the Black & Blue label during 1977-1984.