Tony Jackson (pianist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Jackson
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Tony Jackson in the 1910s in Chicago
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| Born |
Antonio Junius Jackson
October 25, 1882 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | April 20, 1921 (aged 38) |
| Occupation | Musical composer, pianist, singer |
| Years active | 1897–1920 |
Antonio Junius "Tony" Jackson (October 25, 1882 – April 20, 1921) was an American pianist, singer, and composer. He was known for his amazing musical talent and was considered one of the best musicians of his time. Many other musicians looked up to him and copied his style.
Early Life: How Tony Jackson Started Music
Tony Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 25, 1882. His family was poor. Tony was born with a twin brother, Prince Albert, who sadly passed away when he was very young. Tony's parents had been freed from slavery. Tony also had epilepsy from birth.
Tony showed a special gift for music when he was very young. When he was about 10 years old, his family could not afford a piano. So, Tony built his own musical instrument! He made a type of harpsichord from old junk he found in his backyard. It actually worked and was even in tune.
On his homemade instrument, young Tony could play the hymns he heard in church. News of his amazing skill spread quickly in his neighborhood. Soon, neighbors offered him their pianos and reed organs to practice on. Tony got his first music job at age 13. He started playing piano at a place called a Tonk during off-hours.
Career: Tony Jackson's Rise to Fame
Tony Jackson became a very popular entertainer in Storyville, a famous area in New Orleans. People said he could remember and play almost any song he heard just once. He rarely had trouble with unusual song requests. His musical style included ragtime, cakewalks, and popular songs from many countries. He also played blues and light classical music.
Tony was also a fantastic singer. People said he could sing many different vocal parts, from low baritone to high soprano. Other musicians and singers praised Jackson highly. Many called him "the greatest." Even Jelly Roll Morton, another famous musician, said Jackson was better than himself. Morton met Jackson in 1906, and Jackson became a mentor to him.
Tony Jackson also wrote many original songs. Sadly, he often sold the rights to his songs for very little money. Sometimes, his songs were even taken from him without payment. Some older musicians from New Orleans believed that many well-known pop songs of that time were actually written by Jackson.
Clarence Williams, another musician, said, "He was great because he was original in all his improvisations... We all copied him." Not only did musicians copy Jackson's music, but they also copied his style. Jackson always dressed very well. He wore a pearl gray derby hat, a checkered vest, and an ascot tie with a diamond stickpin. He also wore sleeve garters to hold up his shirt cuffs while he played. This fancy outfit became a common look for ragtime and barrelhouse pianists. As one musician joked, "If you can't play like Tony Jackson, at least you can look like him."
Later Career and Passing Away
Jackson later moved to Chicago to further his music career. He lived in an apartment with his family.
One of the few songs published with Tony Jackson's name on it was "Pretty Baby" in 1916. However, people remembered him playing this song even before he left New Orleans. He might have written it as early as 1911. The song later inspired a movie called Pretty Baby in 1978.
Tony Jackson performed regularly at the De Luxe and Pekin Cafes in Chicago. In his later years, his health declined, which affected his voice and playing ability. His friends knew he was not well. They organized a special event for him on February 17, 1921. It was called the "All Star Tony Jackson Testimonial." They raised $325 to help him. Tony Jackson passed away in Chicago on April 20, 1921.
Today, you can still hear Tony Jackson's music through his piano rolls. His unique style also lives on in the recordings of younger musicians he influenced. These include Jelly Roll Morton, Clarence Williams, and Steve Lewis. In 2011, the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame honored Jackson. He was recognized for his important musical contributions and for living his life authentically.
