Composer, pianist, and flautist Brian Jackson is best known for his consciousness-expanding collaborations with Gil Scott-Heron in the 1970s, and Jackson’s sonic foundations for Scott-Heron’s poetry and lyrics continue to be appreciated and sampled decades later. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 11, 1952, Jackson studied music throughout his childhood, and eventually met Gil Scott-Heron when both were attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

Jackson initially appeared as pianist on Scott-Heron’s first two albums, but by 1974’s Winter in America, he was given equal billing, and their partnership would last until 1980. The musical diversity of Winter in America led to the album landing on the Billboard jazz chart (Number 6), while the single “The Bottle” -- which showed off Jackson’s flute prowess -- made it on the R&B Singles chart (Number 15). The following year’s The First Minute of a New Day enjoyed an even further reach, and crossed over to the Pop Albums chart as well (Number 30).

The two continued to release records at the pace of an album a year, concluding with the aptly-titled 1980, as their partnership ran its course. Jackson pivoted to studio work for other artists like Kool & the Gang and Will Downing, and remained primarily behind the scenes until the release of his solo debut, Gotta Play, in 2000. His 70s work with Gil Scott-Heron has been sampled by Flying Lotus, Common, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and other artists inspired by Jackson and Scott-Heron’s boundary-pushing output.

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