On March 11th, 1953 a future bluesman was born. Joseph Charles Jackson was born in St. Joseph's hospital in Toronto. Raised by his grandma Mary Jackson and Grandpa Charlie Jackson, Chuck grew up in Mississauga. Although he first had a dream of becoming a professional hockey player, at age 5 when his grandpa would have his friend over to play country music and he would sit chuck on his knee and play the spoons, Chuck knew hockey wasn’t his true calling.
Chuck’s grandpa wasn’t his only inspiration. In grade 5 Chuck had a music teacher from the hit band “Robbie Lane and the Disciples”, Mr. Hancock, but he didn’t keep his love for music to himself, he taught them songs from “The Beatles”, “The Rolling Stones” and many more talented artists from the 1960’s.
No doubt, Chuck and friends didn’t waste any time, they started their first band “Blue Condition”. Even though Chuck is know known for his award winning vocals, Chuck started as a bass player. But by high school he realized that harmonica playing, and vocals were really for him, therefore he stopped playing the bass.
As much as Chuck enjoyed learning, In grade 11 he left school to pursue a music career. After a year off of school, Chuck met up with his friends and they began to tour around Quebec, Ontario, and all of Eastern Canada in their band “Northern Dancer”, which soon became one of the most popular bands in the bar circuit.
After ten years of playing with his high school buddies Chuck caught his big break by joining one of Toronto’s most popular bands “The Cameo Blues Band”. During this time Chuck married his high school sweetheart Sue Henderson and had his first child Justin Jackson.
After being in “The Cameo Blues Band” for 14 years Chuck was offered a job as the lead vocalist of Canada’s top Blues Band “Downchild”. At this same time Chuck met his second wife Suzanne Grady and in 1995 had his second child, the amazing Sydney Jackson, Chuck’s pride and joy.
This same year Chuck received his first Juno Nomination for the Downchild album “Good Times Guaranteed”. In 1997 Chuck was nominated and then won his first Maple Blues Award as Canada’s top Blues Male Vocalist, and to date has been nominated 7 times and has won twice.
In 1999 while touring with Downchild and playing at the top festivals throughout North America, Chuck decided to bring the blues home by starting the Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival. Now celebrating it’s tenth anniversary, the Southside Shuffle has become one of Canada’s top blues festivals. In 2002 Chuck won the “Blues With A Feeling Award” Also known as the lifetime achievement award for proving his dedication in the development of Blues in the country.
Now in his 19th year with Downchild Blues Band and in his 36th year in the Canadian music industry Chuck is very happy with his life and has become a major star in the world of Blues.
Chuck says “Being able to play the music I love and entertain the wonderful people across Canada and throughout the world is certainly a dream come true for a little boy who began playing harmonica on his grandpa’s knee and realizing his love for music 50 years ago”.
Written by Sydney Jackson
Chuck's Awards and Achievements
2007 Winner Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2006 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2006 Mississauga Arts Awards - Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award
2005 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2003 Nominated Male Vocalist of theYear, Maple Blues Awards
2002 Winner Blues With A Feeling Award, Maple Blues Awards (Lifetime Achievement)
1999 Winner Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1997 Nominated Male Vocalist of theYear, Maple Blues Awards
photo credit - Talkin' Blues ProductionsChuck receiving the 2002 Blues With A Feeling Award Maple Blues Award for Lifetime achievement
Awards with Downchild 2006 Winner Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards2005 Winner Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2005 Winner Recording Of The Year, Come On In (Downchild Music), Maple Blues Awards
2005 Winner Electric Act Of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2004 Nominated Juno Award in Blues category for "Come On In "
1998 Nominated Electric Act of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1998 Nominated Entertainer of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1998 Winner Blues Group of the Year, The Jazz Report Awards
1994 Nominated Juno Award in Blues & Gospel category for "Good Times Guaranteed "
Press Photos
300dpi
5"x 3"
150dpi
3"x 2"
Historical Archives
Chuck with B.B. King
Chuck with John Candy
Chuck with James Cotton
Chuck and Donnie Walsh at Massey Hall
Chuck's first blues band
Chuck and the guys from the bath house
(aka Northern Dancer R&B Revue)
Chuck and Ronnie Hawkins
Bride and Chuckie
Chuck and Sam Butera
Harmonica Knights
Paul Reddick, Chuck Jackson, Mark "Bird" Stafford
Chuck and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Chuck and Elyssa Mahoney
Cameo Blues Band 1978 45 RPM record sleeve
Cameo Blues Band 1978 45 RPM record sleeve
Big Stuff featuring Chuck Jackson and Chris Kenny
Chuck live with Downchild
Downchild
Find the best local listings...
Powered by counter.bloke.com
