Wayne Jackson (musician)
Wayne Lamar Jackson was an American soul and R&B musician, playing the trumpet in The Mar-Keys, in the house band at Stax Records and later as one of The Memphis Horns, described as "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever".
Jackson was born in West Memphis, Arkansas, just a few days apart from his musical partner Andrew Love with whom he created the signature horn sound at Stax on hit records by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and others. Jackson was also the voice on the Mar-Keys singular hit "Last Night", due in part, to his proximity to the microphone.
After the years recording at Stax, they incorporated themselves into The Memphis Horns and began freelancing, recording on sessions for such artists as Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Al Green, and Dusty Springfield. The duo also toured with The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Robert Cray, and numerous other performers.
As a key member of the Stax house band, Jackson played on enduring classics like Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect." He later noted that the studio rarely provided written horn charts, leaving it to the musicians to create their parts on the spot. This spontaneous, collaborative process became essential to forging the signature Memphis soul sound.
After officially incorporating as The Memphis Horns with saxophonist Andrew Love in 1969, Jackson began a prolific freelance career. He moved to Nashville in 1978, toured with country music star Marty Robbins, and broke new ground as the first horn player invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1986, his career was reintroduced to a global audience when he was featured prominently on Peter Gabriel's hit single, "Sledgehammer.".
In 2012, the Memphis Horns received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding artistic significance in music.
Jackson died on June 21, 2016, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis of congestive heart failure. His death came after several years of failing health during which he still maintained an active schedule earning an income by giving personalized guided tours at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. He was 74.
Discography
With Luther AllisonLive in ChicagoWith Otis ReddingPain in My Heart The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul The Soul Album Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul King & Queen The Dock of the Bay
With Aretha FranklinAretha Now Young, Gifted and Black Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) With Everything I Feel in Me
With Rob ThomasSomeday
With Mark KnopflerSailing to Philadelphia
With Wilson PickettIn the Midnight Hour The Exciting Wilson Pickett The Sound of Wilson Pickett Don't Knock My Love
With Bonnie RaittLonging in Their Hearts
With Dan PennDo Right Man Blue Nite Lounge
With Frank BlackFast Man Rider Man
With B.B. KingTo Know You Is to Love You Friends
With Mark Knopfler and Emmylou HarrisAll the Roadrunning
With Neil YoungPrairie Wind
With Rita CoolidgeLetting You Go With Love Thinkin' About You
With Rod StewartSoulbook
With Stephen StillsStephen Stills 2
With Rufus ThomasDo the Funky Chicken
With Eddie FloydKnock on Wood
With Rodney CrowellStreet Language
With StingMercury Falling
With Billy JoelStorm Front
With José FelicianoMemphis Menu
With Tony Joe WhiteTony Joe White Uncovered
With Paul YoungThe Crossing
With Peter GabrielSo Us
With Joe CockerLuxury You Can Afford
With Yvonne EllimanRising Sun
With LuluMelody Fair
With James TaylorMud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon
With William BellThe Soul of a Bell Bound to Happen Relating
With David PorterVictim of the Joke? An Opera
With Nicolette LarsonIn the Nick of Time
With Tom RushLadies Love Outlaws
With Albert KingBorn Under a Bad Sign
With Jimmy BuffettFloridays Hot Water
With Carla ThomasLove Means...
With John PrineCommon Sense
With The Doobie BrothersWhat Were Once Vices Are Now Habits Takin' It to the Streets
- ''Cycles''