Russell Jackson

Russell Jackson was born in Memphis TN, 1954. Twenty years later he started to play bass while stationed at Fort Riley in KS. He moved to Chicago in 1976, joining the Otis Clay Band. During his time there he played with the likes of; Buddy Guy, Arctic ‘Blues Box’ White, Little Howling Wolfe, Abbe Locke, Bobby Rush, Willie Clayton, and Johnny Dollar.

In 1978, three years after beginning his bass career, Russell played for Otis Clay’s first live Japanese album “Live at Touronamon Hall.” After parting with Otis, he went on tour with the B.B. King Orchestra. During those six and a half years he captivated audiences in prestigious venues like the Carnegie Hall, Grand Ole Oprey, and the Smithsonian Institute to name a few. He also had the opportunity to play in the Moscow Theatre, USSR, in the year of 1979. During his time with the B.B. King Orchestra, Russell had the chance to play with some of the industries’ greatest. Everybody sat in, toured and played with them.

After parting with B.B. King’s band, he enrolled in school to study music. Deciding LA was the place to go, he attended the Dick Grove School of Music, receiving an Associate Degree in Music. Whilst there, he learned to read music and studied bass theory, also studying electric and acoustic bass with Joel DiBartolo—Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show bassist. At the same time LA’s music scene became the place to be, where he played along with; Jimmy Witherspoon, Margie Evans, Sam Taylor, Barbara Mason, and Roy Gaines.
In 1987, Russell moved to Sacramento CA and co-founded Silent Partners, a world-renowned rhythm section with drummer Tony Coleman. Through Silent Partners, he toured and recorded for Alligator and Antone Records. During this time he played with highly acclaimed blues artists such as; Luther Tucker, Matt Murphy, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Katie Webster, and Charlie Musselwhite. He also did Farm Aids III & IV with Willie Nelson. In 1990, after Silent Partners Russell moved to Vancouver BC, where he now resides. After his arrival, he joined the Powder Blues Band for a year. During that same year, he recorded on Long John Baldry’s CD “It Ain’t Easy”.

Russell took up a job at Tom Lee’s Music, running the Music School and creating Club Jam. The birth of the Russell Jackson Band came in 1992; after the quartet formed, they began playing on the Canadian Blues scene. He has released three CDs of his own material with the band. From 1994-97 he played a vital role in the Kansas City Blues Society, playing most of the bigger shows at the Grand Emporium, opening for many artists; Son Seals, Five Blind Boys of Alabama, and the Holmes Brothers. It was also during this time that Russell did lots of teaching for Blues in both the US and Canada.

In 2003, he took part in the Chicago Blues Festival. Since, he has become a permanent fixture in terms of involvement by taking role of musical director for all the tours. While living in Vancouver Russell has joined forces with Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne; the duo recorded an award winning album.