Jackson, “Bull Moose” Benjamin Clarence
Jackson, “Bull Moose” Benjamin Clarence
Jackson, “Bull Moose” Benjamin Clarence, R&B/jazz tenor saxophonist, vocalist; b. Cleveland, Ohio, April 22, 1920; d. there, July 31, 1989. He began on violin, switched to tenor sax in high school, and worked in a local band led by trumpeter Freddy Webster before joining Lucky Millinder (1944). He began to lead his own groups after his vocal on “I Love You, Yes I Do” became a big hit in 1948. His band was called the Buffalo Bearcats. He made a number of successful R&B singles during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and also worked with Tiny Bradshaw’s Band. Benny Golson toured with Jackson frequently between July 1951 and March 1953, along with, at various times, Johnny Coles, Jymie Merritt, and Philly Joe Jones; Tadd Dameron played piano and arranged the music during Golson’s tenure. John Coltrane may have played an odd gig with Jackson in Philadelphia before or after this period, but probably did not tour with him. He retired from full-time music in the late 1950s, but emerged to play tour of Middle East and Africa with Buck Clayton in 1977.
—John Chilton Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter