Anthony Jackson Dies: Legendary Bassist Was 73 – Blavity
Anthony Jackson, the legendary bassist known for pioneering the six-string “contrabass guitar” that revolutionized the role of the bass guitar in music, has died. He was 73. According to Guitar World, news of his death was confirmed by Fodera Guitars, a bass manufacturer that worked closely with Jackson.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Anthony Jackson — one of the most visionary and influential bassists in the history of our instrument,” Fodera Guitars wrote in a statement.
Later, the guitar manufacturer said, “Our deepest condolences to his family, to his admirers around the world, and to everyone whose life was touched by his music. We will honor him by continuing the pursuit of excellence in our craft — inspired by the example he set.”
Read on for more about Jackson’s life and legacy.
Jackson started commissioning custom six-string bass guitars in the mid-1970s
Jackson was a master bass player who was an early champion of the six-string bass guitar, Music Radar reported. In the mid-1970s, he started commissioning custom builds of the instrument and used them on recordings and tours with major artists like Roberta Flack.
According to Music Radar, Jackson once asked, “Why is four strings the standard and not six? As the lowest-pitched member of the guitar family, the instrument should have had six strings from the beginning.”
He argued, “The only reason it had four was because Leo Fender was thinking of an upright bass, but he built it along guitar lines because that was his training.” Jackson said he believed the next “logical conception for the bass guitar” included a six-string design.
Jackson started working with Fodera Guitars in 1984, the bass manufacturer shared in its statement, and the partnership helped produce Jackson’s ultimate vision for the six-string bass guitar, Guitar World reported. The unique instrument was coined a contrabass guitar and transformed music, freeing Jackson from the traditional four-string design he found limiting.
Throughout his career, Jackson worked with artists like Steely Dan, Luther Vandross, Pat Metheny, Paul Simon, producer Quincy Jones and many others.
Jazz fusion artist Al Di Meola remembers Jackson as an ‘extraordinary’ musician
Many jazz greats have shared tributes to Jackson, including one of his closest collaborators Al Di Meola.
“Anthony was one of the most extraordinary musicians I’ve ever had the honor to play with — a true innovator whose genius on the six-string contrabass reshaped modern music,” the guitarist wrote in an Instagram post. “His sound, precision, and soul were unmatched.”
Jackson played on several of Di Meola’s songs, including some of his biggest records like “Land of the Midnight Sun” and “Elegant Gypsy.”
“Rest in peace, my brother. Your music will resonate forever,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Al Di Meola (@official_aldimeola)
Dominican pianist and composer Michel Camilo also shared a tribute to Jackson on social media, Music Radar reported.
‘Heartbroken by the loss of my longtime dear friend and great bassist Anthony Jackson. One of a kind, a true Genius and an innovator,” he wrote. “I was honoured to share with you so many wonderful years of music making and close friendship. ‘Antonio’ you will be greatly missed but the beautiful memories shall live forever in our hearts. Rest in peace my dear friend until we meet again.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michel Camilo (@camilomichel)
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