Paul Milton Jackson Jr. (born December 30, 1959) is an American fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist.
In addition to being a recording artist in his own right, Jackson is also a session player, with a career spanning multiple decades. He has supported artists ranging from Michael Jackson (no relation) (on the albums Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix) to the Temptations, Whitney Houston, Alexander O'Neal, Five Star (on the album Silk and Steel), Howard Hewett, Thomas Anders, Patti LaBelle and Luis Miguel, to rockers such as Chicago and Elton John, to jazz-oriented players such as George Duke, George Benson, Dave Koz, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Marcus Miller and Kirk Whalum, and to Christian artists such as Leon Patillo and Don Moen.
In 2013 it was revealed he contributed to several tracks on the album, Random Access Memories by Daft Punk and UK based singer songwriter Birdy's second album Fire Within. He also played guitar on Lisa Stansfield's 2014 album, Seven.
Jackson can be seen playing guitar in a wide variety of styles on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and American Idol.
Discography
As leader
I Came to Play (1988, Atlantic) Out of the Shadows (1990, Atlantic) A River in the Desert (1993, Atlantic) Never Alone: Duets (1996, Blue Note) The Power of the String (2001, Blue Note) Still Small Voice (2003, Blue Note) Lay It Back (2008, Branch) Stories from Stompin' Willie (2016, Branch)
With 'Jazz Funk Soul' (Jeff Lorber/Everette Harp/Paul Jackson Jr.) Life and Times (2019, Shanachie) Forecast (2022, Shanachie)
Session musician credits
With Oleta Adams
All the Love (Pioneer Entertainment, 2001)
With Anastacia
Not That Kind (Epic, 2000)
With Jon Anderson
In the City of Angels (Columbia, 1988)
With Paul Anka
Somebody Loves You (Polydor, 1989)
With Patti Austin
Patti Austin (Qwest/WB, 1984) Gettin' Away with Murder (Qwest/WB, 1985) On the Way to Love (Warner Bros., 2001) Sound Advice (Shanachie, 2011)
With Joan Baez
Recently (Gold Castle, 1987)
With Philip Bailey
The Wonders of His Love (Myrrh, 1985) Triumph (Word, 1986)
With Anita Baker
The Songstress (Elektra, 1983) Rapture (Elektra, 1986) Giving You the Best That I Got (Elektra, 1988) Rhythm of Love (Elektra, 1994) My Everything (Blue Note, 2004)
With George Benson
20/20 (Warner Bros., 1985) While the City Sleeps... (Warner Bros., 1986) Twice the Love (Warner Bros., 1988) Standing Together (GRP, 1998) Songs and Stories (Concord, 2009) Guitar Man (Concord, 2011)
With Stephen Bishop
Sleeping with Girls (Big Pink, 1985)
With Michael Bolton
All That Matters (Columbia, 1997)
With Laura Branigan
Self Control (Atlantic, 1984)
With Peabo Bryson
Straight from the Heart (Elektra, 1984) All My Love (Capitol, 1989) Can You Stop the Rain (Columbia, 1991) Unconditional Love (Private Music, 1999) Missing You (Peak/Concord, 2007)
With Solomon Burke
The Definition Of Soul (Point Blank/Virgin, 1997)
With Donald Byrd
Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life) (Elektra, 1978)
With Irene Cara
Carasmatic (Elektra, 1987)
With Belinda Carlisle
Live Your Life Be Free (Virgin, 1991)
With Chicago
Chicago 17 (Full Moon/Warner Bros., 1984)
With Leonard Cohen
The Future (Columbia, 1992)
With Natalie Cole
I'm Ready (Epic, 1983) Dangerous (Atco, 1985) Everlasting (Elektra, 1987) Good to Be Back (Elektra, 1989) Holly & Ivy (Elektra, 1994) Stardust (Elektra, 1996) Leavin' (Verve, 2006)
With Randy Crawford
Windsong (Warner Bros., 1982) Abstract Emotions (Warner Bros., 1986) Through the Eyes of Love (Warner Bros., 1992) Don't Say It's Over (Warner Bros., 1993)
With Céline Dion
Unison (Columbia, 1990) A New Day Has Come (Columbia, 2002)
With George Duke
Thief in the Night (Elektra Records, 1985)
With Sheena Easton
Best Kept Secret (EMI, 1983) No Strings (MCA, 1993)
With José Feliciano
José Feliciano (Motown, 1981) Ya Soy Tuyo (RCA, 1985) Te Amaré (RCA, 1986)
With Five Star
Silk & Steel (RCA, 1986)
With Roberta Flack
Oasis (Atlantic, 1988)
With Aretha Franklin
Aretha (Arista, 1980) What You See Is What You Sweat (Arista, 1991) This Christmas, Aretha (DMI, 2008)
With Michael Franks
Dragonfly Summer (Warner Bros., 1993)
With Glenn Frey
Soul Searchin' (MCA, 1988)
With Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor (Atlantic, 1982)