• Genre: Blues
• Active: '20s, '30s
• Instrument: Trombone

Biography

Preston Jackson is best-known for his work and recordings in the 1920s even though he actually had a lengthy career. Born James McDonald, he changed his first name to his original middle name (Preston) and chose to use the last name of his stepfather (Jackson). Jackson moved to Chicago in 1917 and did not start playing trombone until 1920. However after nine months of lessons (later on his teachers would include trombonists Roy Palmer and Honore Dutrey), Jackson was working professionally. He gigged with trumpeter Tig Chambers and violinist Al Simone and then toured with Eli Rice. Although he worked in Milwaukee for a period, Jackson was mostly a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene in the 1920's, working with Art Simms and Bernie Young. He recorded with Young's Creole Jazz Band in 1923 but gained more attention for his work with Richard M. Jones a few years later. Jackson played with Dave Peyton (1930), Erskine Tate and then was part of the Louis Armstrong big band during 1931-32. He kept busy in the 1930's, playing with Half Pint Jaxon (1933), Carroll Dickerson, Jimmy Bell, Jimmie Noone, Roy Eldridge, Walter Barnes, Johnny Long (1939) and Zilner Randolph's W.P.A. Band. Jackson recorded with Noone and in 1940 was on Johnny Dodds' final records. In the 1940's he just played on a part-time basis although his band recorded in 1946. Jackson re-emerged in the late 1950's, working with Lil Harden Armstrong (with whom he recorded in 1961). He gigged in New Orleans at Preservation Hall, was with Little Brother Montgomery (1969) and toured Europe with Kid Thomas' New Orleans Joymakers (1973-74). As a leader, Preston Jackson recorded four selections in 1926, four for Victor in 1946, made a full album for the European Dixie label in 1972 and half an LP (which he shared with Benny Waters) for Kenneth in 1973. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Worked With:

Albert Washington, Charlie Alexander, Mike McKendrick, John Lindsay, George James, Tubby Hall, Lester Boone, Louis Armstrong, Johnny St. Cyr, Richard M. Jones, Luis Russell, Lonnie Johnson