Anthony Jackson’s manager condemns Grammys for inclusion during Ozzy Osbourne segment: “A grave miscalculation”
The longtime manager of late jazz bassist Anthony Jackson has criticised the Grammys for including him in the Ozzy Osbourne segment of the in memoriam part of the show.
During the ceremony, which took place on February 1st, Post Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith and Andrew Watt performed ‘War Pigs’ in Osbourne’s memory while a number of musicians who’d died in the last year from the rock world were shown on the screen behind them.
In addition to Jackson being remembered, Blondie drummer Clem Burke and Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley were also placed on the screen.
However, there was also another performance of the in memoriam segment led by Lauryn Hill in remembrance of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, which Jackson’s manager believed would have been a more fitting tribute to his legacy.
In an open letter, Jackson’s longtime manager, Danette Albetta, wrote in a letter to the Recording Academy’s Harvey Mason Jr (via Guitar World), “To place Anthony within a tribute centered on Rock/Metal was a grave miscalculation of his musical identity.”
Albetta’s impassioned letter continued, “Anthony’s soul and career belonged in the segments celebrating R&B, Jazz, and Sophisticated Pop.”
She also noted, “His work with Chaka Khan, Steely Dan, and The O’Jays defines the very ‘Recording Excellence’ the Academy claims to uphold.”
It continued, “By failing to contextualize his brilliance within the R&B and Jazz lineage where he spent decades as a cornerstone, the telecast missed an opportunity to educate the public on a true pioneer.”
Jackson died last October, aged 73. He had Parkinson’s at the time of his death, and also suffered a series of strokes in recent years.
Throughout his accomplished career, he worked with Madonna, Steely Dan, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Buddy Rich, George Benson, The O’Jays, Paul Simon, and Luther Vandross.
His death was announced by Fodera Guitars, who described Jackson as “one of the most visionary and influential bassists in the history of our instrument”.
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