Biography
Although Preston Jackson attained his widest recognition through his 1920s recordings and performances, his actual career spanned many decades. Born James McDonald, he replaced his given first name with the middle name Preston and adopted the surname Jackson from his stepfather. He settled in Chicago in 1917 yet waited until 1920 before taking up the trombone. After only nine months of study—later supplemented by lessons from Roy Palmer and Honore Dutrey—he turned professional. Early jobs came with trumpeter Tig Chambers and violinist Al Simone, followed by a tour alongside Eli Rice. A stretch of work in Milwaukee interrupted his schedule, but Chicago’s jazz circuit remained his primary base during the twenties, where he played in groups led by Art Simms and Bernie Young. The first documented sessions occurred with Young’s Creole Jazz Band in 1923, yet wider attention arrived through his association with Richard M. Jones a few years afterward. Further employment in 1930 placed him with Dave Peyton, Erskine Tate, and Louis Armstrong’s big band, the last affiliation lasting into 1932. The remainder of the decade kept him active with Frankie “Half Pint” Jaxon in 1933, Carroll Dickerson, Jimmy Bell, Jimmie Noone, Roy Eldridge, Walter Barnes, Johnny Long in 1939, and Zilner Randolph’s W.P.A. Band. He also recorded with Noone and appeared on Johnny Dodds’ final dates in 1940. Part-time activity characterized the forties, although his own band did record in 1946. Late-fifties engagements with Lil Harden Armstrong led to a 1961 recording session. Subsequent work included regular appearances at New Orleans’ Preservation Hall, a 1969 association with Little Brother Montgomery, and a European tour with Kid Thomas’ New Orleans Joymakers that extended from 1973 into 1974. As a leader he produced four titles in 1926, four more for Victor in 1946, a complete album for the European Dixie label in 1972, and half of an LP shared with Benny Waters on the Kenneth label the following year.
Albums
