On Sunday, October 19th 2025 I received the news I dreaded the most within the musical world. The godfather, the father of the contrabass guitar, the player many of us think of as the greatest of all time, the one and only Anthony Jackson had passed away.
Very few players have come along and completely changed the game on their instrument and there is no doubt that the father of the modern 6 string bass falls into that category, not just in the two additional strings he cajoled Carl Thompson into integrating into the electric bass but also his note choices, his phrasing, the delivery, note placement and an incredible time-feel all allied to an almost unique vocabulary on the electric bass that underpins so many incredible, timeless bass lines.
He also fully integrated the pick, fingers and thumb into his playing, along with envisaging the 6 string as a total instrument (rather than a 4 string with a couple of extra strings) and when you add in a sound that could support mountain ranges, you have a truly special player that massively expanded the expressive possibilities of the instrument. The first time I heard Anthony’s huge, piano-like sound, my musical world changed forever. I was fortunate enough to see Anthony play twice (both with Hiromi) and I left both gigs utterly speechless at what I’d heard and I’ve yet to hear bass playing that comes close.
For me (though I imagine he might take issue with the title), he was the greatest electric bass player ever. He was a singular voice with an unwavering commitment to artistry, to excellence, to have every note speak volumes no matter how big or small the note happened to be and to always be in service to the wider musical picture. His work (as with Jamerson) has a truly timeless quality to it, and his extensive discography will be inspiring musicians for generations to come. Whether it’s his classic picked line on The O’Jays “For The Love Of Money”, his longtime collaboration with Dominican pianist Michel Camilo (Triangulo and Rendevous are favourites of mine), the indelible mark he left on Chaka Khan’s first 3 records or his work with Hiromi’s Trio Project, Anthony has left a permanent marker for all of us within the bass world.
Below you will find some of my favourite Anthony Jackson moments, both live videos and studio recordings. I’ve also put together a playlist that covers a pretty wide range of the music he played (though I’m sure I’ve missed some great tracks), and I hope that this will give those of you less familiar with his a work a look at what I feel made him so, so special. I’m planning on doing deep dives into some of Anthony’s work, but that is for another time.
For now though you can check out a free transcription I just posted of Move Me No Mountain, from Chaka Khan’s Naughty Album.
May you Rest In Peace Anthony. Thank so much for the music, for the inspiration…for everything. You’re the greatest Maestro
Much love.
Ben
Hiromi Uehara – Delusion
Al Di Meola – Crusin
Michel Petrucciani – So What
Michel Camilo – Not Yet
Akiko Yano – Water Ways Flow Backward Again
Michel Camilo – From Within (Calle 54)
Spotify AJ Playlist -
Very well written sir! Anthony Jacksons music will carry on inspiring for many years.