A concert artist with very impressive technique and a strong interest in jazz, Calvin Jackson was at his most popular during the 1950s. His mother was a classical singer.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on May 26, 1919, Jackson studied piano for 17 years including four years at Juilliard and New York University. He had an early job with Frankie Fairfax's band and spent 1943-1947 in Hollywood working as an assistant musical director at MGM. He recorded with Phil Moore's group in 1947 and also cut six selections for Discovery as piano solos, his first recording session as a leader. In 1948, Jackson played with Mildred Bailey at the Café Society in New York. In 1950 he settled in Toronto where he was often heard on television and radio, including on his own shows. Jackson moved back to Los Angeles in 1957 and worked in the studios composing music for film and TV shows.

In addition to his Discovery recording, Jackson made records for Vik and Columbia during 1954-1955 (utilizing a quartet that co-starred vibraphonist Peter Appleyard), Liberty in 1958 (Gershwin tunes plus "Jazz Variations on Rhapsody in Blue"), Raynote (1959), and a pair of final sessions for Reprise (1961).

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide