Wayne Lamar Jackson (November 24, 1941 – June 21, 2016) was an American soul and R&B musician, playing the trumpet in The Mar-Keys, in the house band at Stax Records and later as one of The Memphis Horns, described as "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever".
Jackson was born in West Memphis, Arkansas, just a few days apart from his musical partner Andrew Love with whom he created the signature horn sound at Stax on hit records by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and others. Jackson was also the voice on the Mar-Keys singular hit "Last Night", due in part, to his proximity to the microphone
After the years recording at Stax, they incorporated themselves into The Memphis Horns and began freelancing, recording on sessions for such artists as Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Al Green, and Dusty Springfield. The duo also toured with The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Robert Cray, and numerous other performers.
As a key member of the Stax house band, Jackson played on enduring classics like Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect." He later noted that the studio rarely provided written horn charts, leaving it to the musicians to create their parts on the spot. This spontaneous, collaborative process became essential to forging the signature Memphis soul sound.
After officially incorporating as The Memphis Horns with saxophonist Andrew Love in 1969, Jackson began a prolific freelance career. He moved to Nashville in 1978, toured with country music star Marty Robbins, and broke new ground as the first horn player invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1986, his career was reintroduced to a global audience when he was featured prominently on Peter Gabriel's hit single, "Sledgehammer."
In 2012, the Memphis Horns received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding artistic significance in music.
Jackson died on June 21, 2016, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis of congestive heart failure. His death came after several years of failing health during which he still maintained an active schedule earning an income by giving personalized guided tours at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. He was 74.
