Jackson Heights (band)

Jackson Heights
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1970
Founder	Lee Jackson, Brian Davison
Defunct	1973
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Studio albums: King Progress, The Fifth Avenue Bus, Ragamuffin's Fool, Bump n' Grind

Jackson Heights emerged as a British progressive rock ensemble established in 1970, following the departure of The Nice's organist and pianist Keith Emerson, who left to form Emerson, Lake and Palmer. This exit left bassist and vocalist Lee Jackson alongside drummer Brian Davison to explore new musical directions.

Throughout their concise four-year span, Jackson Heights produced four studio albums: King Progress, The Fifth Avenue Bus, Ragamuffin's Fool, and Bump n' Grind. Concurrently, Brian Davison created Brian Davison's Every Which Way, releasing a single self-titled record before touring with Gong. Subsequently, Lee Jackson and Brian Davison reunited with Swiss keyboardist Patrick Moraz in the trio Refugee, which released one self-titled album in 1974 prior to Moraz's transition to Yes. In 2002, Keith Emerson briefly revived The Nice for a short UK tour, culminating in the live double album Vivacitas.

Origins

Born Keith Joseph Anthony Jackson in Newcastle, he began his musical journey with local groups before joining Gary Farr & the T-Bones in 1965, where he crossed paths with organist Keith Emerson. The duo reunited in 1966 to back singer P. P. Arnold on tour, forming a supporting band managed by Andrew Loog Oldham that featured drummer Ian Hague and guitarist David O'List.

Ian Hague was soon replaced by Brian "Blinky" Davison, and the ensemble adopted the name The Nice—taken from a track by The Small Faces. To distinguish himself from Emerson, Keith Jackson took on the moniker Lee. As a left-handed bassist comparable to Paul McCartney, Jackson was recognized for his unique VOX V248 bass and occasionally employed a bow to mimic cello tones on songs like Hang on to a Dream and My Back Pages. Following Emerson's departure to create Emerson, Lake and Palmer with Greg Lake and Carl Palmer, The Nice disbanded. Brian Davison went on to form Brian Davison's Every Which Way, while Lee Jackson established Jackson Heights aiming for a more acoustic-oriented sound distinct from The Nice’s organ-centric approach. Initially switching from bass to acoustic guitar on their debut album, he later resumed bass playing while preserving a softer sonic character.

Band and beginnings

The founding lineup consisted of Lee Jackson performing on 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, harmonica, and vocals; Charlie Harcourt (later associated with Lindisfarne) handling guitars, harpsichord, mellotron, organ, piano, and vocals; Mario Enrique Covarrubias Tapia on bass and Spanish guitars; alongside Tommy Sloane on drums. Their first album, King Progress, was issued by Charisma Records in the UK with Mercury Records distributing it in the US.

During spring and summer of 1971, the band toured across Britain and Europe, including an appearance on the French television show Pop 2. Despite featuring a reimagined version of The Nice’s composition The Cry of Eugene, the album failed to achieve commercial success. Subsequently, the group disbanded, leading Jackson to reorganize the band as a trio with new members.

Separation and reunion

Following a three-album contract with Vertigo Records, Lee Jackson sought fresh collaborators for their next release, Fifth Avenue Bus. He brought in John McBurnie (vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar) and Brian Chatton (keyboards), both previously involved with Warriors alongside Jon Anderson and Flaming Youth featuring Phil Collins. Initially, Lawrie Wright contributed piano parts but became ill; he completed piano work on three tracks and arranged Autumn Brigade. Dave Watts provided piano for Laughing Gear.

This formation remained intact until the band's eventual dissolution in 1973. The album included Michael Giles (formerly of King Crimson) on drums; however, the trio performed live without a drummer—a notably uncommon arrangement. Despite these efforts, the album did not meet commercial expectations, motivating Jackson to continue pursuing subsequent projects.

Jackson Heights Mark Two

The album Ragamuffins Fool signaled the band's return to touring without a drummer, although Michael Giles once again provided drum tracks for the recording. The single Maureen was issued, showcasing John McBurnie's growing role in the songwriting process. This record also features a reimagined version of Nice's instrumental Chorale (From Five Bridges Suite). Despite some criticism directed at Jackson's vocal range, the group's harmonies were often likened to those of America and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Nevertheless, the album's commercial performance was limited, resulting in financial difficulties and disappointment for Jackson.

Bump n' grind

Jackson extended one final opportunity to his band with their concluding album, Bump n' grind. Originally conceived as a concept work centered on women in the Burlesque Theater, the scope was reduced but still incorporated an ensemble of 20 musicians alongside drummers Michael Giles and Ian Wallace (both formerly of King Crimson), as well as Ian Paice from Deep Purple. Despite receiving promotional backing from Vertigo Records, including a deluxe cover design, the album did not achieve significant sales. Key contributors featured Keith Emerson on Moog synthesizer programming and violinist Godfrey Salmon, who later collaborated with Emerson Lake & Palmer on Works Volume I and their Works tour orchestra. Salmon additionally arranged and conducted orchestral parts for the 1980 film score Inferno and Emerson’s 1981 release Nighthawks.

Refugee

Since replicating the orchestral arrangements live proved unfeasible, Jackson approached Swiss keyboardist Patrick Moraz to join the lineup. Moraz declined but suggested forming an entirely new band together, supported by financial backing and a recording deal. Jackson agreed, disbanded Jackson Heights after consulting Brian Davison (formerly of Nice), and established Refugee. This new group produced a single studio album released through Charisma Records. Subsequently, John McBurnie collaborated with Moraz on three of his solo projects: The Story of I, Out in the Sun, and 1984’s Timecode.

Future of the musicians

Charlie Harcourt: Worked with Junco Partners, Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys, and Lindisfarne.
Lawrie Wright: Released the album Two for Joy in 2012 alongside Jerelle Jacobs (double bass) and Sophie Alloway (drums).
John McBurnie: Featured as a vocalist on Patrick Moraz’s solo albums and contributed as a session musician for acts such as Affinity, Camel, Arthur Brown, Gerry Rafferty, Vapor Trails, Steve Holly, and Vivienne McAuliffe.
Brian Chatton: Started his career with The Warriors alongside Jon Anderson, then joined Flaming Youth with Phil Collins; later formed Boys Don't Cry releasing the album Don't Talk To Strangers (1983) and singles including I Wanna Be A Cowboy (1986). He toured with Eric Burdon and produced solo albums like 1981’s Playing for Time, which included Phil Collins; also collaborated with Meat Loaf and Snafu.
Michael Giles: Drummer for King Crimson’s first two albums; recorded the 1971 duet McDonald & Giles with Ian McDonald; session work includes Joël Daydé's 1972 album White Soul, as well as contributions to Leo Sayer, Anthony Phillips, and McDonald’s 1999 solo release Driver's Eyes. His solo album Progress, recorded in 1978 but unreleased until 2002, features his brother Peter Giles and Geoffrey Richardson.

Band members

Lee Jackson – acoustic 6 and 12-string guitars, electric bass, harmonica, percussion, lead vocals
Charlie Harcourt – acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, vocals (featured on debut album only)
Mario Enrique Covarrubias Tapia – Spanish guitars, bass, vocals (participated on first album only)
John Woods – drums, percussion
Tommy Sloane – drums, percussion (appeared on debut album only)
Brian Chatton – keyboards, vocals (contributed to final three albums)
John McBurnie – acoustic 6 and 12-string guitars, Mellotron, keyboards, percussion, vocals (involved in last three albums)

Guests

Chris Laurence – bass on Bump 'n' Grind
Bill Bell – banjo on Bump 'n' Grind
Michael Giles – drums and percussion across the final three albums
Ian Wallace – drums and percussion on Bump 'n' Grind
Keith Emerson – Moog synthesizer programming on Bump 'n' Grind
Ian Green – conductor of orchestra for Bump 'n' Grind
Johnny Van Derrick – violin soloist featured on Bump 'n' Grind
Alan Travers, Andy Babynchuk, Cathy Wei, Clare Farmer, David Woodcock, Eddy Roberts, Liz Edwards, Gavyn Wright, Godfrey Salmon, Jeff Grey, Louise Jopling, Paul Pearce – violinists performing on Bump 'n' Grind
Brian Hawkins, Brian Mack, Don McVay, Jan Schlapp – violists contributing to Bump 'n' Grind
Helen Liebmann, Lynden Cranham, Martin Robinson, Mike Hurwitz – cellists featured in Bump 'n' Grind

Studio albums

King Progress (Charisma, 1970)
The Fifth Avenue Bus (Vertigo, 1972)
Ragamuffins Fool (Vertigo, 1972)
Bump 'n' Grind (Vertigo, 1973)

Best of

1973: Caravan And Jackson Heights – Pop Made in England (Pop 1) – Motors Records (includes two tracks by Jackson Heights and four by Caravan)
1973: Jackson Heights – Verve Records
1976: Attention! Jackson Heights – Fontana Special

Singles

1970 "Doubting Thomas" / "Insomnia" (Charisma Records) JH 1 / JH 2
1970 "King Progress" / "Mister Screw" (Motors Records) MT 4 004
1972 "Maureen" / "Ragamuffins Fool" (Vertigo Records) 6059 077
1972 "Maureen" / "Long Time Dying" (Vertigo Records) 6059 068
1973 "Spaghetti Sunshine" / "Public Romance" (Vertigo Records) 6837 157