It has to be done. This guy can play anything, electric or acoustic, and makes it look easy. I love when he gets a guitar-heavy song or solo, because you can tell he's lovin' it too.
From his website:
Paul Jackson Jr
Though Paul never got to meet or work with Wes Montgomery, one of his chief guitar influences, he has forged professional relationships with all the others who touched his formative years, including Earl Klugh, George Benson, Ray Parker Jr., Al McKay and Lee Ritenour. Since breaking into the Los Angeles studio scene at age sixteen, he has contributed his multi-faceted guitarisma to the biggest artists of pop,R&B, jazz and rock music: Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad, History), Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Randy Crawford, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bobby Brown, Steely Dan, Chicago, The Temptations, Anita Baker, Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Al Jarreau, and George Duke, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers Barry White and many others.Paul points to his trip with Whitney to South Africa in 1995 as his most spiritual, powerful and soul-energizing project to date. Playing his own signature Gibson model Paul Jackson Jr. ES347, in recent years he also accompanied the Backstreet Boys (on MTV's Total Request Live) and Destiny's Child and, bridging his musical and spiritual lives, taught at worship conferences in Korea, Italy, Guatemala and Honduras. Paul says that the most recent highlight for him was his on stage appearance in a tribute to Wes Montgomery featuring guitar notables: Jimmy Bruno, Larry Carlton, Paul Jackson, Jr., Earl Klugh, Chuck Loeb, Russell Malone, and Pat Martino. All played together and each provided solo performances of Wes Montgomery selections.
Child Actor
Paul Jackson, Jr.'s, professional career began in acting at age six with his first gig, "Cowboy in Africa", starring Chuck Connors, Cicely Tyson and others. Paul then appeared in a number of television shows (Good Times, Julia, Maybery RFD and others), commercials and several movies including "The Sting", "Cinderella Liberty", "Marcus Nelson Murders" (Kojak pilot) "Willy Dynamite" and was one of the stars of the NBC Mystery Series "Tenafly" with James Mc Keachin and Lillian Lehman.
Family Band Paul's, real interest was music. He got his first guitar at nine, started playing seriously at 12 and indicated to his parents, he would rather focus on his music, instead of acting. He made an early switch from piano to guitar (much to the chagrin of his piano teacher). In addition to acting, Paul performed with a family band which included his siblings, his mother, and good friend Cornelius Mims (now a notable in the professional music arena). At age 14 Paul's musical instrument preference was the Gibson guitar, given to him by his parents. It is interesting to note that presently, Paul endorses for Gibson Guitars with his signature guitar. Paul's sister who played drums in the family band now plays percussion in Paul's band in addition to performing with the Bellflower and Southeast Symphony Orchestras.
Studio Paul's studio career was initiated by his instructor, Gary Bell, an outstanding musician who had performed with the Fats Domino Band. Whenever possible, Gary would recommend then teenager, Paul, as a substitute for him for recording gigs and live performances. Paul's long time mentor, Patrice Rushen, subsequently introduced Paul to Lee Ritenour, Ray Parker, Jr., and Greg Poree (who was Paul's instructor for the classical guitar and is now Paul's collaborator on projects such as The Martin Show, and The Robert Townsend Show). Paul's studio recording career, with album credits exceeding one thousand and singles credits countless, resulted in many people calling him "the most recorded and requested guitarist in the world". The word is that " Paul can play any style of music and no matter what song you have, Paul can make it sweeter".
Paul says: "Success as a studio musician comes from knowing that your number one priority is making the artist happy and developing a reputation for giving those who hire you what they want," he says. "I still practice and love all the late nights and early mornings in the studio, trying to get things just right on my own projects and those of the artists who hire me. I keep all that balanced with my faith journey, and every so often will turn off the mix of be-bop and oldies I keep in the car and just drive in silence…listening once again for that still small voice. God will speak to you if you allow yourself to turn down the volume."
Live Performances
While a teenager, Paul's first live performance opportunities were as a regular with the Don Johnson Band and as a substitute for Gary Bell. Still in his teens and subsequently, Paul's early tours included performing in Patrice Rushen's Band which included now notables, Gerald Albright and Freddie Washington, Jr. He later toured with George Duke (another of his long term mentors and friends) in Japan and other places. He also toured with Patti Austin and James Ingram. Band members also included notables, Nathan East and Greg Phillingames.Paul subsequently went on to appear at numerous Jazz Festivals, including Berks, Montreaux, Capital Jazz, JVC, Hollywood Bowl, Playboy Hollywood Bowl and Pasadena, JVC Concord and many others. In addition he has performed at many live performance concerts as the featured artist and with others such as the collaboration "Guitarzz" featuring Paul, Chuck Loeb and Chieli Minucci. Paul also appears regularly in live performances with his own band
A great benefit of being on the short list of top-flight versatile session and live performance musicians is forging relationships with the best producers and performers in his chosen genres
Special Performances Paul may be seen regularly on many television specials with the Rickey Minor All star Band - most recently "American Idol", "America Has Talent." And "Duets" (Rickey Minor is shown with Paul and Patrice Rushen).
Paul also was music director for the Martin and Robert Townsend TV series and the American Music Awards honoring Bob Hope.
Releases Paul's solo career includes six CD's, the first of which received a Grammy nomination. He will soon release his seventh CD "Lay It Back." He also has participated in CD collaborations with notables such as George Benson, Earl Klugh, and others.. His latest Blue Note release included two singles which were in the top ten, and one of which was number one and remained there for weeks. His third consecutive single "Never too Much",from the collaboration "Forever for always for Luther" also achieved top ten status.
Hey, and that Ricky Minor's a fantastic bass player too.
