Oliver Jackson (April 28, 1933 – May 29, 1994), also known as Bops Junior, was an American jazz drummer.

Biography

Jackson was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, where he played in the 1940s with Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, and Wardell Gray, and had a variety show with Eddie Locke called Bop & Locke. After working with Yusef Lateef from 1954 until 1956, he moved to New York, where he played regularly at the Metropole in 1957 and 1958. Following this he worked with Teddy Wilson, Charlie Shavers (1959–61), Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman (1962), Lionel Hampton (1962–64), Kenny Burrell, Earl Hines (1964–70 intermittently) and the JPJ Quartet with Budd Johnson. Later in life he played with Sy Oliver (1975–80), Oscar Peterson, and George Wein's Newport All-Stars. As a bandleader, Jackson led a 1961 date in Switzerland, and recorded at least five albums for Black & Blue Records between 1977 and 1984. His brother, bassist Ali Jackson, performed with him both at the beginning and towards the end of their careers. His nephew, Ali Jackson Jr., is a jazz drummer. Jackson died from heart failure in New York City at the age of 61.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Ray Alexander With Gene Ammons With Ray Bryant With Kenny Burrell With Buck Clayton With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Dexter Gordon With Johnny Hodges With Major Holley and Slam Stewart With Illinois Jacquet With Etta Jones With Paul Gonsalves With Hank Jones With King Curtis With Yusef Lateef With Gildo Mahones With Billy Mitchell With Joe Newman With Billy Strayhorn With Joe Thomas and Jay McShann