Entertainment

Blues Musician Melvin Jackson Dies

Published

10 years ago

January 2, 2015

In this Oct. 8, 2014, photo provided by Valerie Jordan, Blues musician Melvin Jackson poses for a photo at his home in Las Vegas. Jackson, who played with legends B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. He was 79. (AP Photo/Valerie Jordan)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Blues musician Melvin Jackson, who performed for years with legends B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland, has died. He was 79.

Jackson died Tuesday evening at a hospice facility in Las Vegas after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, said his niece, Valerie Jordan. The trumpeter and saxophone player started performing as a child with his father, who was also a musician.

“He practiced every single day, even when he knew the music,” she said.

Drummer Tony Coleman, who worked with Jackson for years as a member of King’s band, says Jackson was a consummate professional and an excellent musician. Jackson performed with Bland and King for decades traveling to more than 90 countries and only quit performing this September. He was versatile and his music had a good blues feel, Coleman said.

“He’s always been extremely serious about performing,” Coleman said. “There were no excuses — be on time, be professional, do your best — that’s how he was.”

Jackson was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1935 but had lived in Las Vegas for years, his niece said.

He is survived by three daughters.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

DISH Network to Make ‘The Interview’ Available on January 2

Don't Miss

Brian Copeland’s “The Jewelry Box” Shows at The Marsh

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

Published

5 days ago

November 16, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa