Welcome, Chris! As a stride pianist, I naturally adore Cliff's work! I'm trying to read between the lines concerning your "chemicals" reference, but it's a little "smoky." Do I take it Cliff dabbled in herbs?
Thank you for putting this up. I had the pleasure of producing several sessions with Cliff on piano, including a solo album (Fontana/Black Lion) and one with Elmer Snowden ("Harlem Banjo" - Riverside). Cliff was also a wonderful person. Married to singer Maxine Sullivan, he liked to spend time in his basement "lab", experimenting with chemicals.
What a number indeed! I am trying to play his version of You Took Advantage of Me, and it's quite a challenge, but it is so exciting music!! It's a shame also that Cliff Jackson was not filmed. Maybe in the future will we get to see him perform.
One of the greatest stride recordings of all times. Truly impressive. Cliff Jackson certainly was the most underrated of all stride pianist. He is almost forgotten now, but this recording shows why his peers and competitors nicknamed him "The Terror" or "Menace". Also, he was able to develop a very distinctive and personal style.
@StrideLatinProgRick Yes, it's that great a recording . . . and Cliff was just that great a pianist. I think he knew it, but always laughed it off with his eccentric deadpan delivery! I'd like to find out more about the circumstances surrounding his untimely death from a heart attack in 1970. It seems he left us way too soon!
As a experienced stride pianist, I can only scratch my head at how underrated Clifton Luther Jackson (July 19, 1902 - May 24, 1970) is. He is THE foremost exponent of the practically extinct style of syncopation known as "back-beat." Even some of today's most accomplished stride pianists can't get the left hand right! Cliff was also a thorough and eclectic piano pedagogue, with his own piano method series!
This is fantastic, one of the best versions of this tune I've ever heard, although in my opinion Gus Drobegg's piano roll, made for the Columbia company, is hotter, but just barely. This is a lot faster, and hotter in a fast way, while that roll is hotter in a medium-tempo way, and is in my opinion the tastiest version of this tune I've ever heard.
But Cliff Jackson's version is definitely up there... he really whacks this thing, he was out for blood, man!!!! TERRIFIC!!! THANKS!!!
This is so hot it's painful! Just amazing! If i can ever learn to play piano like this then i will consider that my life has not been all in vain.
Schizopantheist 2 months ago
Welcome, Chris! As a stride pianist, I naturally adore Cliff's work! I'm trying to read between the lines concerning your "chemicals" reference, but it's a little "smoky." Do I take it Cliff dabbled in herbs?
schatman1335 3 months ago
Thank you for putting this up. I had the pleasure of producing several sessions with Cliff on piano, including a solo album (Fontana/Black Lion) and one with Elmer Snowden ("Harlem Banjo" - Riverside). Cliff was also a wonderful person. Married to singer Maxine Sullivan, he liked to spend time in his basement "lab", experimenting with chemicals.
ChrisAlbertson 4 months ago
Bravo!!
heinbanjo12 9 months ago
What a number indeed! I am trying to play his version of You Took Advantage of Me, and it's quite a challenge, but it is so exciting music!! It's a shame also that Cliff Jackson was not filmed. Maybe in the future will we get to see him perform.
sirop1960 1 year ago
One of the greatest stride recordings of all times. Truly impressive. Cliff Jackson certainly was the most underrated of all stride pianist. He is almost forgotten now, but this recording shows why his peers and competitors nicknamed him "The Terror" or "Menace". Also, he was able to develop a very distinctive and personal style.
StrideLatinProgRick 1 year ago
@StrideLatinProgRick Yes, it's that great a recording . . . and Cliff was just that great a pianist. I think he knew it, but always laughed it off with his eccentric deadpan delivery! I'd like to find out more about the circumstances surrounding his untimely death from a heart attack in 1970. It seems he left us way too soon!
schatman1335 3 months ago
As a experienced stride pianist, I can only scratch my head at how underrated Clifton Luther Jackson (July 19, 1902 - May 24, 1970) is. He is THE foremost exponent of the practically extinct style of syncopation known as "back-beat." Even some of today's most accomplished stride pianists can't get the left hand right! Cliff was also a thorough and eclectic piano pedagogue, with his own piano method series!
methu124 1 year ago
@methu124 Cliff was amazing... What a left hand he has. I love the stride syncopation here on Limehouse Blues..Cheers!
lflarry1 1 year ago
Holy Moly.....When this gets going it's insane. Wow what a player Cliff was!!!!
Stride and Jazz meets piano :)
lflarry1 1 year ago
This is fantastic, one of the best versions of this tune I've ever heard, although in my opinion Gus Drobegg's piano roll, made for the Columbia company, is hotter, but just barely. This is a lot faster, and hotter in a fast way, while that roll is hotter in a medium-tempo way, and is in my opinion the tastiest version of this tune I've ever heard.
But Cliff Jackson's version is definitely up there... he really whacks this thing, he was out for blood, man!!!! TERRIFIC!!! THANKS!!!
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
bonkers stride meets blues boogie woogie :what was that cat on !!!???
troxyprojy 2 years ago
I'm sure he was high on life.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago