Chip Jackson: Is There a Jackson in the House?

Unquestionably an accomplished bassist in both arco and pizzicato modes, Chip Jackson earned his stripes in the big bands of Woody Herman and Chuck Mangione, the combos of Elvin Jones, Stan Getz, Roy Haynes, Gary Burton, Horace Silver, and Red Rodney, and is currently a prominent voice in the Billy Taylor Trio. On this, his first leader date, he is featured in duo with pianist Larry Willis (“Four Brothers,””Cupbearers,””In a Sentimental Mood,” and “Sonnymoon for Two”) and in trio with pianist Dave Kidowski and drummer Billy Hart (“Is There a Jackson in the House?,” “Angel Eyes,” “Epistorophy,” and “So What”), on all of which selections he is front and center, dazzling in his digital dexterity, woofer-challenging in his frequent “wow-ow-ow-ows,” and dangerously skirting the traditional lines of distinction between multi-noted saxophonists and bassmen.

Originally Published October 1, 1999