Brian Jackson

Half of the power duo Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson, Brian wrote, arranged and produced over 10 albums over an eight-year period. Time and time again that music has found its way onto over 100 cuts like Common's “The People” (from "We Almost Lost Detroit") and Kendrick Lamar's “Poe Mans Dreams” (from "Peace Go With You, Brother").

Almost 40 years later, Brian is still building with artists as diverse as Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Midnight Hour, A Tribe Called Quest) vocalist Gregory Porter, Christopher "Puma" Smith, (The Archives, Thievery Corporation), jazz violinist Scott Tixier and legendary bassist Charnett Moffett.

Brian looks to both the present and the past for inspiration in order to honor to the ancient tradition of the griot - the African troubadour of truth.

“This music isn’t really mine," Brian asserts. "I learned it from those who came before me. It’s my job to pass on what I've learned. That’s the Tradition.”

In the tradition of the African griot, Brian tells the stories of how many of his best-loved pieces came to light.