Born in Miami, Florida, Jackson joined Duke Ellington alumnus Cootie Williams's band in 1949 as a teenager, after being discovered by Eddie Vinson. During the 1950s Jackson participated in R&B and jazz recordings, primarily as a session musician. He also toured as leader of the backing band of singer Ruth Brown, whom he married. Jackson joined Prestige Records in 1959, making a string of jazz albums that proved to an influence on the burgeoning soul jazz movement. During this era, Jack McDuff and Pat Martino became famous through association with Jackson. Jackson's main influences were Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet.
Jamaican ska innovator Prince Buster has cited Jackson's song "Later for the Gator" as one of the first ska songs.
Jackson died in New York one week after heart surgery, in October 1987, at the age of 55.
Discography
Please Mr. Jackson (Prestige, 1959) - with Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings
Cool "Gator" (Prestige, 1959–60) with Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings [also released as Keep on a Blowin]
Blue Gator (Prestige, 1959–60)
Cookin' Sherry (Prestige, 1959-60 1961)
Together Again! (Prestige, 1959-60 [1965]) - with Jack McDuff
Really Groovin' (Prestige, 1961)[also released as Swingtime]
In My Solitude (Moodsville, 1961)
Together Again, Again (Prestige 1959-1961 [1966]) - with Brother Jack McDuff
Thunderbird (Prestige, 1962)
Johnny "Hammond" Cooks with Gator Tail (Prestige, 1962) - with Johnny "Hammond" Smith
Bossa Nova Plus (Prestige, 1962) [also released as Shuckin']
Neapolitan Nights (Prestige, 1962)
Loose... (Prestige, 1963)
Grease 'n' Gravy (Prestige, 1963)
The Good Life (Prestige, 1963)
More Gravy (Prestige, 1963)
Boss Shoutin' (Prestige, 1964)
Jackson's Action! (Prestige, 1964)
Live! Action (Prestige, 1964 [1966])
Soul Night/Live! (Prestige, 1964 [1966])
Tell It... (Prestige, 1964 [1967])
'Gator Tails (Verve, 1964) [also released as Willis Jackson]
Smoking with Willis (Cadet, 1965)
Soul Grabber (Prestige, 1967)
Star Bag (Prestige, 1968)
Swivelhips (Prestige, 1968)
Gator's Groove (Prestige, 1968)
Mellow Blues (Upfront, 1970)
Recording Session (Big Chance, 1970)
Gatorade (Prestige, 1971)
West Africa (Muse, 1973)
Headed and Gutted (Muse, 1974)
The Way We Were (Atlantic, 1975)
Funky Reggae (Trip, 1976)
In the Alley (Muse, 1976)
Plays with Feeling (Cotillion), 1976
The Gator Horn (Muse, 1977)
Bar Wars (Muse, 1977)
Single Action - with Pat Martino (Muse, 1978)
Lockin' Horns - with Von Freeman (Muse, 1978)
In Chateauneuf du Pape (Black and Blue, 1980) - also released as Ya Understand Me? (Muse, 1980)
Nothin' Butt (Muse, 1980)
Plays Around With Hits (Jazz Trip), 19??
On My Own (Whiskey, Women, And ... Record Company), 1986 compilation of fifties tracks
The Best Of Willis Jackson Volume One - Gator's Groove (Ace), 1988 compilation of Prestige recordings
Where Are You?
Willis Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why I'll always be around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
I feel like this is the beginning
Though I've loved you for a million years
And if I thought our love was ending
You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
You must have known that I was lonely
Because you came to my rescue
And I know that this must be heaven
How could so much love be inside of you?
You are the sunshine of my life, yeah
That's why I'll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart
Love has joined us
Love has joined us
Let's think sweet love
The lyrics to Willis Jackson and Pat Martino's song "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" are a beautiful tribute to the enduring and all-encompassing love that the singer feels for their significant other. The opening line, "You are the sunshine of my life," is a simple yet incredibly powerful way to describe the significant other's impact on the singer's life. This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which promises that the singer will always be around for their loved one, and that they will remain the apple of their eye forever.
The lyrics also portray a sense of longevity and timelessness. When the singer expresses that they have loved their significant other for a million years, it illustrates a love that has stood the test of time and is still going strong. However, even with such a long-lasting love, the singer recognizes that if their love were to ever end, it would be devastating, leaving them drowning in their own tears.
The last verse speaks to the idea that the significant other was sent to the singer as a sort of savior, rescuing them from loneliness. It is clear from the lyrics that the love that the singer feels for their significant other is both intense and deeply rooted. The song is a beautiful ode to the idea that true love can endure through anything and that the person you love can truly be the sunshine of your life.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the sunshine of my life
You bring brightness and warmth to my world and make everything better.
That's why I'll always be around
I will stay by your side always and forever.
You are the apple of my eye
You are the most cherished and beloved person in my life.
Forever you'll stay in my heart
Your presence in my life is irreplaceable and will always be treasured.
I feel like this is the beginning
Even though we have been together for a long time, our love continues to feel fresh and new.
Though I've loved you for a million years
My love for you is timeless and enduring, like it has spanned a million years.
And if I thought our love was ending
If I ever believed we were drifting apart, it would be devastating for me.
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears
I would be overcome with grief and sadness if our love were to end.
You must have known that I was lonely
You came into my life when I needed you most, saving me from my loneliness.
Because you came to my rescue
Your love has healed me and made me whole.
And I know that this must be heaven
Being with you feels like a slice of paradise, where love reigns supreme.
How could so much love be inside of you?
Your capacity to love is boundless and seemingly infinite, and I'm constantly amazed by it.
Love has joined us
Our bond is strengthened by the power of love that unites us.
Let's think sweet love
Let's focus our thoughts on the joy and sweetness that love brings into our lives.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm, Iricom US Ltd, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Piere Lambert
Stunning Jack on the Organ superb Tune
josemarcos guimaraes
ohhhhyeeeeaaaahhhhhhh!!! Cheer´s from south Brasil!
Giovanni Lucchetta
Thank you!!! Sweet
Piere Lambert
Sorry Willis TOOOOOOOOO