Chuck Jackson (Canadian musician)
Encyclopedia
Chuck Jackson is the Canadian lead singer and one of two harmonica
players in the Downchild Blues Band
, otherwise known as Downchild, with which he has been associated since 1990.
, of Toronto, with whom he continues to perform on occasion. In addition to his work with Downchild, Jackson performs and has recorded with a changing group of musicians, which has included Downchild's Michael Fonfara
and Pat Carey, as Chuck Jackson and The Allstars.
While Jackson was born in Toronto, for most of his life he has either lived in Port Credit, Ontario
or had Port Credit, with a population of approximately 10,000, as a principal point of reference. Jackson has demonstrated a particular passion for supporting the Port Credit community. In 1999, he co-founded the Southside Shuffle, an annual Port Credit-based blues and jazz festival that has grown to feature in excess of one hundred acts over three days.
Jackson is notable has having been honoured with a distinguished career award by the Toronto Blues Society
, as well as Maple Blues Awards
for male vocalist of the year, among other honours.
Chuck Jackson is also the half brother of Canadian comedians Mike Bullard and Pat Bullard
.
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
players in the Downchild Blues Band
Downchild Blues Band
The Downchild Blues Band is a Canadian blues band, described by one reviewer as "the premier blues band in Canada". The band is still commonly known as the Downchild Blues Band, though the actual band name was shortened to "Downchild" as of the early 1980s....
, otherwise known as Downchild, with which he has been associated since 1990.
Biography
Chuck Jackson has been a professional musician since the 1960s, and since the late 1970s primarily as a blues singer and harmonica player. Between 1978 and 1992, he was the lead singer of the well respected Cameo Blues BandCameo Blues Band
The Cameo Blues Band is a Toronto-based blues band, originally formed in 1978. It is particularly notable for its association with several of Canada's leading blues singers, including Richard "Hock" Walsh, Tony Flaim and Chuck Jackson, all of whom were also associated with the Downchild Blues...
, of Toronto, with whom he continues to perform on occasion. In addition to his work with Downchild, Jackson performs and has recorded with a changing group of musicians, which has included Downchild's Michael Fonfara
Michael Fonfara
Michael Fonfara is a keyboard player who is most notable for his work with the bands The Electric Flag and Rhinoceros in the 1960s, Lou Reed in the 1970s and The Downchild Blues Band, from 1990 to the present.- History :Fonfara's career as a professional musician commenced in 1963, when he started...
and Pat Carey, as Chuck Jackson and The Allstars.
While Jackson was born in Toronto, for most of his life he has either lived in Port Credit, Ontario
Port Credit, Ontario
Port Credit is found at the mouth of the Credit River on the north shore of Lake Ontario, within the southcentral area of the city of Mississauga...
or had Port Credit, with a population of approximately 10,000, as a principal point of reference. Jackson has demonstrated a particular passion for supporting the Port Credit community. In 1999, he co-founded the Southside Shuffle, an annual Port Credit-based blues and jazz festival that has grown to feature in excess of one hundred acts over three days.
Jackson is notable has having been honoured with a distinguished career award by the Toronto Blues Society
Toronto Blues Society
The Toronto Blues Society is a provincially funded Art Service Organization based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1985, a Board of Directors governs the Society.BACKGROUND...
, as well as Maple Blues Awards
Maple Blues Awards
The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s blues awards, "honouring the finest in Canadian blues". They are the only comprehensive national best in blues awards program. The program's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement...
for male vocalist of the year, among other honours.
Chuck Jackson is also the half brother of Canadian comedians Mike Bullard and Pat Bullard
Pat Bullard
Patrick Bullard is a Canadian writer and comedian. He was born in Mississauga, Ontario.He has written for the sitcoms Roseanne, Reba, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, and Grace Under Fire...
.
Awards
- 1999 Maple Blues Award, Male Vocalist of The Year
- 2002 Blues With a Feeling Award, Toronto Blues Society, honouring distinguished career
- 2007 Maple Blues Award, Male Vocalist of The Year
With Downchild
- 1994 Good Times Guaranteed (Downchild Music)
- 1997 Lucky 13 (Downchild Music)
- 2004 Come On In (Downchild Music)
- 2007 Live At The Palais Royale (Downchild Music)
- 2009 I Need A Hat (Downchild Music)
Chuck Jackson and The Allstars
- 2000 Last Night (Iridescent Music)
- 2006 Comfy Cosy (Iridescent Music)