Ronald Shannon Jackson

Drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, and his Decoding Culture from the 1980s, learned in the exemplory case of Ornette Coleman’s Perfect Period and were a logical expansion of the group. They highlighted colorful and loud ensembles; weren’t scared of the impact of rock and roll; and their rhythms had been funky, noisy, and unstable. Jackson played expertly in Tx with Wayne Clay when he was 15. He relocated to NY in 1966, where he caused Byard Lancaster, Charles Mingus, Betty Carter, Stanley Turrentine, Jackie McLean, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Dorham, & most considerably Albert Ayler (1966-1967), amongst others. He required time from the scene and became a member of Ornette Coleman’s Primary Period (1975-1979). Jackson also caused Cecil Taylor (1978-1979) and Wayne “Bloodstream” Ulmer (1979-1980). The Decoding Culture (created in 1979), over time, presented many talented and advanced improvisers, using the best-known types becoming Vernon Reid, Zane Massey, Billy Bang, and Byard Lancaster. Jackson also used the explosive group Last Leave (beginning in 1986), and in the first ’90s with Power Equipment. Ronald Shannon Jackson’s music isn’t for easy-to-offend ears. The drummer passed away at his house in Fort Well worth, Texas on Oct 19, 2013 after fighting leukemia; he was 73 yrs . old.