Ron Jackson (jazz musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Jackson
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 27, 1964 Manila, Philippines |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Jazz, hard bop, swing |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, arranger, instructor |
| Instruments | 6-string guitar, 7-string guitar, electric bass |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Labels | Muse, Roni |
| Associated acts | Bucky Pizzarelli, George Van Eps, Melvin Sparks |
Ron Jackson is an amazing American jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher. He was born in 1964 and is known for his cool guitar playing and for writing his own music. He has performed all over the world and taught many students about jazz.
Contents
Meet Ron Jackson: A Jazz Guitar Star
Ron Jackson was born in the Philippines on July 27, 1964. His father was serving in the military at the time. Ron started playing the guitar when he was 11 years old. By the age of 15, he was already performing professionally!
Ron's Early Musical Journey
In 1982, Ron began studying music at the Berklee College of Music. He focused on learning how to compose and arrange music. After a few years, in 1985, he moved to Paris, France. There, he spent two years and even started playing the electric bass.
In 1987, Ron moved to New York City. He went back to playing the guitar and soon began touring. He traveled across North America and Europe, sharing his jazz music with many audiences.
Making Music: Albums and Tours
Ron Jackson has had a busy career making music and performing. He has released many albums and played with famous musicians.
The 1990s: First Albums and Awards
In 1991, when Ron was 27, he released his first album as a band leader, called A Guitar Thing. This album was a big success and even reached #26 on a national music chart! He then released another album, Thinking of You, with Muse Records.
During the early 1990s, Ron led his own group, the Ron Jackson Quartet. In 1995, he joined a special group called 5 Guitars Play Mingus. He played alongside other talented guitarists like Russell Malone. Soon after, he released an album of duets with Rufus Reid called Song for Luis. In 1996, Ron won first prize in the Heritage International Jazz Guitar Competition, which was a huge honor! He also played many different types of music gigs, like playing for orchestras and at parties. Ron was also a member of the Rufus Reid Trio and the Randy Weston Group. In 1999, he released the album Concrete Jungle.
The 2000s and Beyond: New Music and Famous Stages
After Concrete Jungle, Ron started his own music label called Roni Music. This allowed him to release his future albums independently. In 2003, he released The Dream I Had, which featured both classic jazz songs and his own new compositions. He followed this with Flubby Dubby in 2008 and Burning Gums in 2012. Burning Gums was the first album for his group of the same name.
Ron has continued to tour and record with various groups. He has played regularly in famous New York City jazz clubs. These include Birdland, Iridium Jazz Club, and the Blue Note Jazz Club. He has shared the stage with many legendary musicians. Some of these include Randy Weston, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Benny Golson.
Sharing the Music: Ron as a Teacher
Besides being a performer, Ron Jackson is also a dedicated jazz educator and guitar instructor. He has taught at several important music programs. These include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Jazz At Lincoln Center. Ron also writes articles for Acoustic Guitar Magazine, sharing his knowledge with even more guitar enthusiasts.
Ron Jackson's Music Albums
Here is a list of albums Ron Jackson has released as the main artist:
- A Guitar Thing (Muse, 1992)
- Thinking of You (Muse, 1994)
- Song for Luis (Mastermix, 1996)
- Concrete Jungle (Airmen, 1999)
- The Dream I Had (Roni, 2003)
- Flubby Dubby (Roni, 2008)
- Burning Gums (Roni, 2011)
- Akustik InventYours (Roni, 2014)
- Standards and Other Songs (Roni, 2019)
- Standards and My Songs (Roni, 2022)
