Boston Jazz Radio Legend Eric Jackson - RIP

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If you've ever turned on WGBH radio in Boston over the last 35 years or so, you've probably heard the sonorous voice of Eric Jackson on his show Eric In The Evening. Sadly, Eric's wife & daughter are reporting that he passed away this morning.

I used to listen to Eric's show in my car whenever I found myself driving in Boston traffic at night. He had a great voice for radio and a deep love for Jazz that always came through. I will miss his shows. A sad day for Boston Jazz.

[Teasing the Korean]

Two Boston legends in one week.

Also, the great Brother Cleve.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/13/lifestyle/thank-you-brother-cleve-godfather-local-cocktail-scene/

Eric Jackson was a big part of my Boston experience.  My wife worked for WGBH and said what a nice guy he was.  I met him on a few occasions.  He built an addition on his house for his LP collection.  My kind of guy.

RIP.

Edited September 17, 2022 by Teasing the Korean

[Teasing the Korean]

Eric's theme, at least while I was in Beantown: Horace Silver's "Peace" by Tommy Flanagan.

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by Teasing the Korean

[clifford_thornton]

Very sad news. He was helpful to me when I was writing liner notes to and co-producing the Phill Musra/Michael Cosmic reissues on NowAgain.

For what it is worth, Eric also played percussion on the Cosmic album and was in their band for a bit in the mid-70s.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

Very sad news. He was helpful to me when I was writing liner notes to and co-producing the Phill Musra/Michael Cosmic reissues on NowAgain.

For what it is worth, Eric also played percussion on the Cosmic album and was in their band for a bit in the mid-70s.

I didn't know that little tidbit.

[tranemonk]

We will miss him here. Over the years WGBH kept cutting the amount of on-air time to jazz. I stopped listening at that point to move to WRTI and WGBO streams but I know he was a significant part of the jazz community here. Unfortunately with the Regattabar jazz club closing and Eric passing... things are getting weaker up here in Boston...

Kinda sucks...

[Kevin Bresnahan]

22 hours ago, tranemonk said:

We will miss him here. Over the years WGBH kept cutting the amount of on-air time to jazz. I stopped listening at that point to move to WRTI and WGBO streams but I know he was a significant part of the jazz community here. Unfortunately with the Regattabar jazz club closing and Eric passing... things are getting weaker up here in Boston...

Kinda sucks...

Has the Regattabar been closed permanently? Has that been announced officially? Man, that would suck... I have seen so many incredible shows there over the years.

[tranemonk]

19 hours ago, bresna said:

Has the Regattabar been closed permanently? Has that been announced officially? Man, that would suck... I have seen so many incredible shows there over the years.

I don't think it's been officially announced but it's been closed since COVID and has not reopened.

[ghost of miles]

Man, I loved Eric. I used to stream WGBH back in the early aughts to listen to him and Steve Schwartz, and was fortunate enough to cross paths with him several times at conferences in recent years. I always told him that I considered him the dean of jazz radio. Very appreciate of the presence and knowledge that he brought to his programming. This one hurts for sure.

Edited September 22, 2022 by ghost of miles

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Just now, ghost of miles said:

Man, I loved Eric. I used to stream WGBH back in the early aughts to listen to him and Steve Schwartz, and was fortunate enough to cross paths with him several times at conferences in recent years. I always told him that I considered him the dean of jazz radio. Very appreciate of the presence and knowledge that he brought to his programming. 

Both Eric & Steve Schwartz were fixtures on the Boston Jazz scene. At nearly every show in the area, one or both of them would be sitting in crowd nearby.

[tranemonk]

On 9/22/2022 at 9:39 AM, bresna said:

Both Eric & Steve Schwartz were fixtures on the Boston Jazz scene. At nearly every show in the area, one or both of them would be sitting in crowd nearby.

Absolutely true... I often saw both of them introducing artists at Newport.

[Teasing the Korean]

And Ron Della Chiesa, who invited Ms. TTK and I into the studio when he interviewed Keely Smith!  

[tranemonk]

21 hours ago, Teasing the Korean said:

And Ron Della Chiesa, who invited Ms. TTK and I into the studio when he interviewed Keely Smith!  

Amen... my bad for missing him....

[Teasing the Korean]

Just now, tranemonk said:

Amen... my bad for missing him....

S'all good, man!