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Joe Jackson was born on August 11 1954 in Burton-on-Trent, England, but grew up in the South Coast naval port city of Portsmouth.
In 1978 Joe was living in London and hawking an album-length demo, with his own band (Graham Maby, Bass; Dave Houghton, Drums; Gary Sanford, Guitar) standing by. That demo - already called Look Sharp - eventually found its way to American producer David Kershenbaum, who was in London in the capacity of talent scout for A&M Records. Joe was immediately signed and Look Sharp more professionally re-recorded in August '78. The Joe Jackson Band finally started to play regular gigs and the album was released in January 1979.
Look Sharp was followed within a year by the very similar I'm The Man, and in 1980 by the darker, more reggae-influenced Beat Crazy. At the end of 1980, drummer Houghton decided to quit, and Joe decided to dissolve the band and try something new.
In 1981 Jackson recorded Jumpin' Jive, a 'musical vacation' paying tribute to Swing and Jump Blues artists such as Louis Jordan and Cab Calloway. Returning to songwriting, Joe spent a large chunk of 1982 in New York. The result was Night and Day, a more sophisticated and melodic record built around keyboards and Latin percussion, rather than guitars.
Now based in NYC, Jackson's next album Body and Soul(1984) was in a similar vein to Night and Day but featured a horn section (which, along with the Blue Note-inspired cover art, led many people to wrongly assume he'd made a jazz record). For Big World (1986) Jackson stripped everything down to a 4-piece again, and recorded live, direct to 2-track master. In 1989 he went in the opposite direction with the majestic, semi-autobiographical Blaze of Glory, and toured with an 11-piece band. Laughter and Lust (1991) was more like a mainstream (though still idiosyncratic) rock record.
Joe's work during the rest of the 1990s was his most challenging and eclectic: the gentle, soul-searching Night Music (1994), the ambitious and original song-cycle based on the Seven Deadly Sins, Heaven and Hell (1997), and the album Joe considers his best (and most underrated): Night and Day II (2000). The turn of the century saw a burst of creativity: Jackson won his first Grammy (Best Pop Instrumental Album for the non-traditional, non-orchestral Symphony No.1) and published his book A Cure For Gravity.
In 2003 Jackson astonished everyone, including himself, by re-forming the original Joe Jackson Band for a stunning new album, Volume 4, and a lengthy tour. The reunion was always intended as a one-off, but it also produced a live album, Afterlife, in 2004.
In 2006 Joe turned his attention back to pure songwriting and did a short Trio tour with Graham Maby and Dave Houghton. Joe moved to Berlin, where his next album Rain was recorded in 2007. Consisting of ten powerful, timeless new songs, Rain creates a surprisingly epic sound with just voices, piano, bass and drums. A live album, Live Music, was released in 2011.
In 2012 Joe released a tribute to one of his greatest musical heroes, Duke Ellington. The Duke is an often radical re-interpretation of fifteen Ellington classics.
In 2015, Jackson announced the completion of his follow-up to The Duke via his official website. The album's title, Fast Forward, and track list were confirmed in addition to North American tour dates.
On 18 January 2019, Jackson released the album Fool.
After a Covid induced layofff Joe toured the US and Europe in 2022 behind a tour named "Sing, You Sinners!" featuring songs from his catalog plus a few select covers. The tour featured his band Graham Maby on Bass, Teddy Kumpel on Guitar and Doug Yowell on Drums.
Nov 24th 2023 saw the release of "Mr Joe Jackson Presents "What A Racket": The Music Of Max Champion", a collection of songs written by the long forgotten Music Hall performer Max Champion.
April 2026 will see the release of a new album "Hope and Fury" together with extensive touring in both North America and Europe.
Jackson splits his time between New York, Portsmouth UK and Berlin.
I can't recommend this tour enough! Last time I saw him was the in support of Rain, and while he gave a great performance, the entire show was horribly tainted by his drummer thinking that an electronic snare drum would sound good.... (not so much, btw) This show was so well done... the band was great - the arrangements were great - the set list was awesome... Highly recommended!
The band was incredible. Arrangements were fantastic.
Great concert spanning a very eclectic career which still reaches new heights with innovative covers of Duke Ellington classics.
Joe pays tribute to the Duke with about half of the show dedicated to his rendition of some of Ellington's best work. The musicians in the Bigger Band were as expected most excellent especially Regina Carter on violin. This is the third time seeing Joe at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, MI -- which is a perfect venue for his talents. This one was special for me since my 22 year old daughter went with me to the show with some of my 50 something year old pals. One of her favorite songs when she was about six was ISRGOWH. So it was cool to have her part of the standing sing along at the end of the show. If you have never seen a Joe Jackson show, just know that you gotta go.
Brought back memories of 30 years ago from his tour. Still a fantastic musician and hope to hear him at least one more time. Loved what he did with the Duke Ellington songs.
This was great. The combination of his older tunes along with his arrangements of Duke Ellington pieces worked well. Some of the instruments used were unique, such as including the tuba on his old songs. Jackson and his band sounded great, together, whether in his own tunes or the Ellington arrangements. His Ellington arrangements were quite unique, in many cases, and took new turns from other arrangements I've heard. Ellington fans looking for new renditions might enjoy his new album, "The Duke." For his own songs, some of the arrangements were somewhat unique to bring a new light to them, while others were played more as I remember them and a nice shot of nostalgia, either way.
His new material- an homage to Duke Ellington got old quickly. I have a great appreciation for all of Mr. Ellingtons music. It's obvious Mr. Jackson does as well however jj's talents as a songwriter and arranger were what I came to see. It seemed to me that the crowd applauded more out of respect rather than true enjoyment of the Ellington #s -I know I did. Poor jj even had to ask the by now lulled crowd to applaud! I love jj's music as I'm sure all who attended do as well. My beef is that the performance seemed to be more for jj than the audience.
Joe was great! Came out shortly after 8 and put on a fantastic show!
Wow, A really great show. The band was awesome and Joe is so "about the music" rather than the spotlight. They did fantastic interpritations of songs by Duke Ellington, and of course Joe own material is so good!
Joe's voice is still amazing! Allison has a great voice too! I really enjoyed the show. I was disappointed that he did not play more of his old songs. The show lasted a little over two hours, with a "brief" encore.
Fabulous show! Joe's voice is as strong as ever, and he's still the consistent game-changer! I have been to at least 10 Joe Jackson concerts and this was definitely one of his best shows!
Joe Jackson is a great musician. His taste spans many genres, rock, pop, jazz, classical, and movie scores. And he is a terrific composer, generating catchy pop tunes with sophisticated lyrics and beautiful melodies. I've seen him in concert three times; once, early on in his career, then again about three years ago at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NY, and just last weekend at NYC's Town Hall. The first two times were absolutely terrific, among the best concerts I've seen. I have to admit I was a little disappointed this last time because I was not expecting such a heavy emphasis on his most recent recording. There's no doubt that Duke Ellington's music is great, and the arrangements that Jackson used were new and interesting, but I was really more interested in hearing his own compositions. I guess when you only have limited opportunities to see an artist, and that artist composes and performs, you kind of want to see that guy do his own stuff.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE FAN OF JOES. I TOOK MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 17 AND HAD A BLAST. SHE GREW UP LISTINING TO HIM,HER FAVORITE SONG IS SHE REALY GOING OUT WITH HIM. THE MAN IS A GENIUS. THE CONCERT OUTRAGEOUSE! HIS MOOD WAS FUN,TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO CALLED HIS NAME. HIS VOICE WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS EVER,AND SO WAS HE. HE LOOKED SHARP!
The show was great, balancing the new material from his Ellington tribute album "The Duke" and old favorites. The new material offered interesting interpretations of Duke Ellington classics and his band is very strong, including a second keyboard player/singer, bass (electric and acoustic - alternating) tuba (?) player, jazz violin DIVA Regina Carter, a great drummer and percussionist. Old favorites included "Always Something Breaking Us in Two," "Stepping Out," "You Can't Get What You Want (Until You Know What You Want," "My Hometown," "Sunday Papers" and "Would You Be My Number Two."
Very much a last minute decision, but due to an amazing seat that opened up, I jumped on the chance to see Joe at Town Hall. I too love the music of the 30's and 40's, so the idea of Joe covering Ellington songs was not a problem, although I did not buy the Duke CD until the concert. Each of the band members got ovations for their parts in the setlist, which in my opinion was perfect, especially the fade out (of the band members) during "A Slow Song". Didn't want it to end.
Wonderful set with a mix of older tunes (mainly from "Night and Day") as well as selections from the new Duke Ellington album. Joe has assembled a mind-blowingly talented group of musicians, especially his percussionist and his other keyboard player. Concert was marred by poor/ inconsistent sound. Don't they do sound checks before performances at the Town Hall?
You never know what to expect at a Joe Jackson Concert. Hoping for him to play all my old favorites I couldn't have been more happily disappointed! Joe Jackson gave an inspiring and emotional experience to all present, playing songs spanning his career, along with supporting his new album "The Duke" - Jackson's tribute through brilliant interpretations of some of Duke Ellington's classics. His choice of supporting musicians like that of a maestro wanting only the best to accompany him, helping him to relay his works to the audience. Regina Carter on Violin was nothing short of astounding, Virtuoso calibre indeed; Sue Hadjopoulos on percussion was a sublime inclusion, Imparting her flavor and energy to the music. Allison Cornell's talent on strings and keyboard was evident along with a voice that adapts to any style and blends perfectly. Jesse Murphy was fluid and precise on bass, both electric and upright as well as tuba. Nate Smith was a driving force on drums with spectacular punctuation and control. Adam Roger's range on guitar; from effortless and balanced to edgy rounded off the septet. MUSICAL HIGHLIGHT - Dispite that Roger's acoustic's pickup wouldn't play through on hometown Joe's light piano playing blended perfectly with the strings of Carter, Cornell and Murphy to cover Pachelbel's "Canon in D" as the backdrop for his brilliant arrangement to Home Town. Wonderful rounded musicianship from all - A truly amazing performance!
"Amazing show tonite @ Town Hall. The Ellington arrangements...top notch. Your classics...re-invented. The band...jaw-droppingly great. And Joe himself...on top of his game, still The Man! Thank you for a great nite of music!!"
I have seen Joe many times. The large band--two percussionists, violin, bass, 2nd keyboardist--added a lot. Nice balance--old and new; joe alone and with band, and great intro of the Duke Ellington material. Can't wait to see Joe again soon!
Its been many years since our last JJ concert. Not one disappointment, not one complaint. This was pure enjoyment. We were amazed with the musicianship and fun that was evident on-stage, and although the crowd took a little time to warm up, the mood in the room was electric by the end. I hope I can see more in the future, and we also LOVED The Town Hall.