Paul Milton Jackson Jr. (born December 30, 1959)[1] is an American fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist.

Paul Jackson Jr.
Jackson in 2008
Jackson in 2008
Background information
Birth namePaul Milton Jackson Jr.
Born (1959-12-30) December 30, 1959 (age 64)
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • producer
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass guitar
Years active1976–present
Labels
Websitewww.pauljacksonjr.net

In addition to being a recording artist in his own right, Jackson is also a session player, with a career spanning multiple decades. He has supported artists ranging from Michael Jackson (no relation)[2] (on the albums Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix) to the Temptations, Whitney Houston,[2] Alexander O'Neal, Five Star (on the album Silk and Steel), Howard Hewett, Thomas Anders, Patti LaBelle and Luis Miguel, to rockers such as Chicago and Elton John, to jazz-oriented players such as George Duke, George Benson, Dave Koz, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Marcus Miller and Kirk Whalum, and to Christian artists such as Leon Patillo and Don Moen.

In 2013 it was revealed he contributed to several tracks on the album, Random Access Memories by Daft Punk and UK based singer songwriter Birdy's second album Fire Within. He also played guitar on Lisa Stansfield's 2014 album, Seven.

Jackson can be seen playing guitar in a wide variety of styles on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and American Idol.[3]

Discography

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As leader

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  • I Came to Play (1988, Atlantic)
  • Out of the Shadows (1990, Atlantic)
  • A River in the Desert (1993, Atlantic)
  • Never Alone: Duets (1996, Blue Note)
  • The Power of the String (2001, Blue Note)
  • Still Small Voice (2003, Blue Note)
  • Lay It Back (2008, Branch)
  • Stories from Stompin' Willie (2016, Branch)

With 'Jazz Funk Soul' (Jeff Lorber/Everette Harp/Paul Jackson Jr.)

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  • Life and Times (2019, Shanachie)
  • Forecast (2022, Shanachie)

Session musician credits

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With Oleta Adams

With Anastacia

With Jon Anderson

With Paul Anka

  • Somebody Loves You (Polydor, 1989)

With Patti Austin

  • Patti Austin (Qwest/WB, 1984)
  • Gettin' Away with Murder (Qwest/WB, 1985)
  • On the Way to Love (Warner Bros., 2001)
  • Sound Advice (Shanachie, 2011)

With Joan Baez

With Philip Bailey

With Anita Baker

With George Benson

With Stephen Bishop

  • Sleeping with Girls (Big Pink, 1985)

With Michael Bolton

With Laura Branigan

With Peabo Bryson

  • Straight from the Heart (Elektra, 1984)
  • All My Love (Capitol, 1989)
  • Can You Stop the Rain (Columbia, 1991)
  • Unconditional Love (Private Music, 1999)
  • Missing You (Peak/Concord, 2007)

With Solomon Burke

  • The Definition Of Soul (Point Blank/Virgin, 1997)

With Donald Byrd

With Irene Cara

With Belinda Carlisle

With The Stanley Clarke Band

  • Up (Mack Avenue, 2014)

With Chicago

With Leonard Cohen

With Natalie Cole

With Randy Crawford

With Céline Dion

With George Duke

With Sheena Easton

With José Feliciano

  • José Feliciano (Motown, 1981)
  • Ya Soy Tuyo (RCA, 1985)
  • Te Amaré (RCA, 1986)

With Five Star

With Roberta Flack

With Aretha Franklin

With Michael Franks

With Glenn Frey

With Gloria Gaynor

With Amy Grant

With Thelma Houston

With Whitney Houston

With The Jackson 5

With Michael Jackson

With Bob James and David Sanborn

With Al Jarreau

With Jewel

With Elton John

With Ron Kenoly

  • Sing Out with One Voice (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1995)
  • Welcome Home (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1996)
  • Majesty (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1998)
  • We Offer Praises (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1999)

With Chaka Khan

With B.B. King

With Carole King

With Patti LaBelle

With Kenny Loggins

With Cheryl Lynn

  • In Love (Columbia, 1979)
  • Start Over (Manhattan/EMI, 1987)
  • Whatever It Takes (Virgin, 1989)

With Madonna

With Melissa Manchester

With Barry Manilow

With Teena Marie

With Amanda Marshall

With Michael McDonald

With Glenn Medeiros

With Idina Menzel

With Bette Midler

  • Bette (Warner Bros., 2000)

With Luis Miguel

With Stephanie Mills

With Don Moen

With Aaron Neville

  • The Grand Tour (A&M, 1993)
  • Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas (A&M, 1993)

With Jeffrey Osborne

With Ray Parker Jr.

With Billy Preston

With Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright

With Corinne Bailey Rae

With Lionel Richie

With Minnie Riperton

With Kenny Rogers

With Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

With Jennifer Rush

With Brenda Russell

With Carole Bayer Sager

  • Sometimes Late at Night (Boardwalk, 1981)

With David Sanborn

  • Close Up (Reprise, 1988)

With Boz Scaggs

With Lalo Schifrin

With Lisa Stansfield

With Steely Dan

With Rod Stewart

With Maureen Steele

With Barbra Streisand

With Donna Summer

With Frankie Valli

  • Heaven Above Me (MCA, 1980)

With Luther Vandross

With Dionne Warwick

With Deniece Williams

  • I'm So Proud (Columbia, 1983)
  • Let's Hear It for the Boy (Columbia, 1984)
  • Hot on the Trail (Columbia, 1986)
  • So Glad I Know (Sparrow, 1986)
  • As Good as It Gets (Columbia, 1988)
  • Special Love (MCA, 1989)

With Bill Withers

  • Watching You Watching Me (Columbia, 1985)

With Syreeta Wright

With Paul Young

References

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  1. ^ "Paul Jackson Jr. – Rocking Steady"
  2. ^ a b Vogel, Joachim (1995). Masters of Rhythm Guitar, p. 93. AMA Verlag.
  3. ^ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Watch Episodes and Video Online for Free - NBC Official Site". Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Destiny - The Jacksons | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  5. ^ "Thriller - Michael Jackson | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. ^ "Bad - Michael Jackson | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  7. ^ "Dangerous - Michael Jackson | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
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