Bass legend Jackie Jackson has passed

Jamaican music has lost one of its great bass men, with veteran musician Clifton “Jackie” Jackson dying this morning after a lengthy hospitalisation.

Jackson, whose deep and distinctive bass lines helped drive some of Jamaica’s most memorable recordings, had been hospitalised at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay for almost two months.

The veteran musician, who was the widower of celebrated singer Karen Smith, leaves behind four daughters.

For more than 50 years, Jackson’s bass was a major part of the sound of Toots and the Maytals, but his musical reach stretched far beyond the iconic group.

His playing can be heard on recordings by some of the biggest names in Jamaican music, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, The Melodians and Desmond Dekker.

He also took his talents beyond Jamaica, with international recording credits including work with American singer-songwriter Paul Simon.

Jackson was part of a pioneering generation of Jamaican musicians who often stayed out of the spotlight while their instruments helped build the foundation of ska, rocksteady and reggae.

His bass lines became part of the heartbeat of Jamaican music, carrying the sound from local studios to audiences around the world.

With his passing, another giant of Jamaica’s golden musical era has gone silent.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.