Clifton “Jackie” Jackson, reggae bassist, dies at 79

Legendary Jamaican bassist Clifton “Jackie” Jackson has died at the age of 79. He passed away on Wednesday, September 23, at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay following a lengthy hospitalization.

Jackson was a foundational figure in Jamaican music, providing the bass lines for iconic tracks across the ska, rocksteady, and reggae genres. He was most notably recognized for his 50-year tenure with Toots and the Maytals, performing on classics such as “Pressure Drop” and “Funky Kingston.”

His influential career began at Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle studio as a member of the session band The Supersonics. His work spanned a vast array of legendary artists and recordings, including tracks by Alton Ellis, The Melodians, The Techniques, and Desmond Dekker. His international reach included playing on Paul Simon’s 1972 debut album, “Mother and Child Reunion.”