Brian Jackson

Brian Jackson's name is synonymous with the development of contemporary jazz, jazz-funk, and neo-soul. He has inspired generations of hip-hop and EDM producers. Between 1970 and 1980, he and Gil Scott-Heron were songwriting partners, and Jackson served as musical architect of their sound. Their recording debut was 1971's Pieces of a Man, the first of nine charting albums that included Free Will, From South Africa to South Carolina, It's Your World, and Bridges. Jackson later worked a session player and producer, collaborating with artists ranging from Roy Ayers to Charnett Moffett. His 2010 solo debut, Gotta Play, was followed in 2021 by Brian Jackson JID008, which appeared from Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge's Jazz Is Dead label. He followed it in May 2022 with his BBE debut, This Is Brian Jackson. Four years later, he collaborated with Masters at Work on Now More Than Ever, re-interpreting tunes from his years with Scott-Heron, with a star-studded guest list.