Occupation(s) Singer/songwriter Role Scottish singer | Name Jill Jackson Education Gleniffer High School | |
Born 24 January 1979 (age 45)
Paisley Scotland United Kingdom ( 1979-01-24 ) Instruments Guitar/Voice/Banjo/Ukelele Similar People Speedway, Heather Peace, The Chaplins, Horse, Alex Parks | ||
Jill Jackson (born 24 January 1979, Scotland) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, producer and guitarist. Her material includes rock, folk americana, pop and alternative country music.
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Career
Coming from a musical family in Paisley, Jackson started playing guitar at the age of nine and wrote her first song at eleven. By the age of fifteen she was performing professionally with a country band called Jacksonville. She attended Gleniffer High School and was in the same year as David Sneddon, winner of Fame Academy.
Described in the Nashville press as the “Scottish Songbird”, Jackson first burst on to the UK music scene as the front-woman of rock band Speedway, with whom she scored two top ten hits in 2004. When the band split in 2005 Jackson embarked upon a career as a solo artist and has developed a musical style that is far removed from the pop/rock music that made her name.
“When Speedway came to an end I decided to go back to my roots and play the kind of music that I love - Dolly Parton, Shelby Lynne, the Stones, Buddy Holly, Chet Atkins and Joni Mitchell. I just wanted to strip the whole sound back.”
Jackson has been gigging and recording as a solo artist since Speedway disbanded in 2005. She has toured with Natalie Imbruglia and supported musicians such as Albert Lee, Roger McGuinn and Bryan Adams. In 2006 she fulfilled a lifelong ambition when she performed at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. In early 2006, Jackson released her first solo album. Two tracks from her solo album were performed by Melanie C, on her album This Time. In late 2008, Jackson supported Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery on his US tour.
She was singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery's sidekick on his 1st annual 50 States in 50 Days tour of the United States in the second half of 2008.
In the latter half of 2010 Jackson spent a lot of time on the road supporting acts such as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Her work has also attracted the attention of the television and film industry, with her song "Just Not Myself" being featured in the penultimate episode of BBC Three’s Lip Service in December 2010. Her connection with the show led to appearances alongside one of its stars, singer and actress Heather Peace. After gigging together in Glasgow and Brighton towards the end of 2010, the pair embarked on a two-week tour of the UK in April 2011. She had also supported Scottish band Runrig on their 2010 tour.
February 2011 saw the release of her debut album Back To Zero.
A limited edition, fans-only album The Ones That Got Away was released via Jackson's official website in late 2011. It was a collection of songs that did not make it onto Jackson's previous albums and alternate versions of previously released tracks (notably, a new version of Speedway's "Save Yourself"). In early 2012 Jackson embarked on an acoustic UK tour to support The Ones That Got Away.
In December 2011, Jackson was featured on the cover of DIVA magazine. The 8-page feature was accompanied by an exclusive photo shoot and an interview focusing on the recording of Jackson's upcoming album, Getaway Driver.
In early 2012, Jackson completed the recording of her new album Getaway Driver. The record was written and produced by Jackson herself and was released on 14 May 2012 with a full UK tour to follow in support of the album.
Musical influences
Jackson has said her main musical influences are Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Shelby Lynne, Shawn Colvin, Rolling Stones, Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter.