Letter For Paul ( Jackson)
In 1972, my family moved from New York to the Bay Area of Northern California.
I was in my early teens and had started playing electric bass a few years earlier.
Once we got to the Bay Area, it wasn’t long before I met Chris Poehler, an excellent
bassist, arranger, teacher, and bandleader. He had played with people like Wes
Montgomery, Earl “Fatha“ Hines, Chet Baker, and many others. Chris introduced me
to many great jazz records by Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock, and
others. Chris happened to be good friends with bassist Paul Jackson and drummer
Mike Clark. In fact, Chris was there in the studio to watch some of the recordings of
Herbie’s amazing classic - Headhunters.
I remember being captivated by Paul Jackson’s Funk style. He was able to mix a
loose and flexible jazz approach with an unbelievably funky feel. His bass lines were
SO soulful, rhythmically ultra-creative and powerful. I wound up learning most of
his bass lines from the Headhunters record, as well as others Paul played from
subsequent Herbie Hancock records. Paul’s influence on my playing and, in
particular his bass line composition, has been profound. I was in the studio working
for Piero Pata and Le Coq Records a few weeks before Paul’s passing. On the last day
of recording, we were jamming on a groove that was very “Paul“ influenced. I had no
idea that Paul was ill and it was an eerie coincidence that he did leave us a couple of
weeks later. I decided to release this tribute to him and his amazing playing. I offer
it now with gratitude and love to him, and for the family he has left behind.
John Patitucci
April 2, 2021