J. J. Jackson (singer)

Jerome Louis Jackson (born April 8, 1941),^[1] known as J.J. Jackson, is an American soul/R&B singer, songwriter, and arranger.^[2] His singing style is as a belter.

Jackson started out as a songwriter and arranger for "Brother" Jack McDuff, Jimmy Witherspoon, and the Shangri-Las, among others. His songwriting credits include "It's Easier to Cry" for the Shangri-Las,^[2] released as the B-side to "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" in 1964, and the Pretty Things' 1966 hit single, "Come See Me."^[1]

He is perhaps best known for the soul hit "But It's Alright", which, after its 1966 release as the B-side of the single "Boogaloo Baby", became one of the best known dance music tunes of the decade,^[3] reaching No. 22 on the Billboard chart.^[2] The single was recorded in the United Kingdom, featuring some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums, and who would later make up his backing band for the following two albums (one of which was also titled But It's Alright). In 1969, Warner Bros. Records re-released "But It's Alright" as a single after he signed with them. The single peaked at No. 45 on Billboard when it re-entered the chart on March 29, 1969.

Discography

Albums

As leader

• 1966:But It's Alright (#24, Billboard Hot R&B LPs Chart)
• 1969: The Greatest Little Soul Band in the Land

As J. J. Jackson's Dilemma

• 1970: J. J. Jackson's Dilemma - with Terry Smith, Dick Morrissey, Dave Quincy, Larry Steele, and Ian Hague.
• ...and Proud of It! - Perception Records

With Brother Jack McDuff

• 1966: Tobacco Road (Atlantic) - as arranger
• 1970: To Seek a New Home (Blue Note)

Singles

• 1966: "But It's Alright" (Billboard Hot 100 #22, Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart #4)
• 1967: "Four Walls (Three Windows and Two Doors)" (R&B Singles #17)
• 1967: "I Dig Girls" (Hot 100 #83, R&B Singles #19)

References

External links

• J.J. Jackson discography at Discogs