FRANZ JACKSON
Genres: Swing, Dixieland, Vocal Jazz • United States

Franz Jackson blew up a storm until age 95.  One of the last survivors of the pre-Swing era, and one of only a handful of his contemporaries still playing into the 20th century, the tenor saxophonist/clarinetist/vocalist was, quite literally, a living jazz treasure.  He left us on May 6, 2008 to join the other greats who went on before him. Jackson was one of the last musicians to have learned Chicago jazz from its originators.  His first professional gig in his 70-plus year career was with stride pianist Albert Ammons in 1929; he was 16.  His career continued through the 30’s and 40’s with such jazz luminaries as Albert Ammons, Carroll Dickerson, Jimmy Noone, Walter Barnes, Roy Eldridge, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and James P. Johnson.  He replaced icon Ben Webster in Henderson’s and Eldridge’s bands and also won attention read more...