Michael Gregory Jackson

To sidestep potential mix-ups with pop star Michael Jackson, the ambitious guitarist Michael Gregory Jackson briefly shortened his professional name to Michael Gregory. During the late '70s and early '80s he collaborated on recordings with forward-thinking modern and experimental jazz figures that included saxophonist Oliver Lake. Working on both acoustic and electric instruments, he focused not solely on supporting vocalists through comping or delivering standard single-line solos but also on exploring broader sounds, rhythms, and textures. He later pivoted toward fusion and R&B.