Bass Player: Anthony Jackson

A fairly obscure recording, the album ‘French Toast’ by a band of the same name featured a roster of A-list players including pianist Michel Camilo, alto saxoophonist Jerry Dodgion, French Horn player, Peter Gordon, trumpeter Lew Soloff, drummers Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl and the legendary Anthony Jackson on bass. The recording took place on 7th to 9th April 1984 and produced some astonishing performances including what may have been the first recording of Camilo’s ‘Why Not’? (Camilo’s own version came out in 1985)

Written by Rob Mounsey and arranged by Peter Gordon, the tune ‘Joe Cool’ features some great unison parts for piano and bass but the highlight is Jackson’s work behind the soloists. Think James Jameson on amphetamine. VERY challenging to read but worth spending time on as the chart includes some incredible lines from the master of the Contrbasse Guitar.