Anthony Jackson, innovative bassist, dies at 73

Anthony Jackson, one of the most versatile recorded bassists in music history and creator of the “contrabass guitar,” died on Oct. 19 in Staten Island. He was 73.

- RONALD E. SCOTT

Anthony Jackson in December of 2007. (Art Bromage from Seattle / commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthony_Jackson.jpg)

(Art Bromage)

The cause of death was Parkinson's disease, as noted by his manager, Danette Albetta, on her social media announcement. Bass magazine reported this year that health issues had largely prevented Mr. Jackson from performing since 2017.

Acknowledged as a master of the electric bass guitar [contrabass], Jackson performed live in over 30 countries, appeared in over 500 albums, and recorded in more than 3000 sessions. Jackson began playing on the local New York scene in his late teens and landed the bass chair with Billy Paul’s band in 1972, earning his first gold record for the singer's hit recording “Me and Mrs. Jones.” His continued work with the Philadelphia songwriting/production team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff led to a session with the O’Jays on a song titled “For the Love of Money.” His creative approach to the bass chart that simply called for D minor became one of the most riveting bass lines in music history; heavily sampled on over 130 records by artists such as Mary J. Blige, Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A., and Dr. Dre. It made every bassist stand up and take notes; his version of D minor was a redefining moment.