Jackson Gillies was born on Long Island, New York, and grew up in a home filled with music. Raised on artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, The Who, The Allman Brothers, CSNY, James Taylor, and Genesis, he developed a love for music early on. Jackson began performing through singing, acting, school plays, and PSAs about Type 1 Diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at age 3.
At 13, Jackson moved with his family to Florida, where he was soon diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a painful skin condition that left him bedridden for months. During that time, he picked up the guitar, inspired by Emotionalism by The Avett Brothers and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of “Little Wing.” Music quickly became both an escape and a purpose.
After relocating to Santa Barbara, Jackson began building his career as a performer and songwriter. Since then, he has won the Teen Star USA talent competition, given a TEDx talk, produced the Teens Sing for SB Concert (raising over $60,000), placed in the Top 69 on Season 2 of American Idol, and performed with artists including Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Tariqh Akoni, and Randy Tico.
Today, Jackson performs locally and on the road with his Grateful Dead tribute project, Jax Plays Dead, celebrating every era of the Dead with a special love for the raw early-’70s sound.
He also released his debut album, High & Low, which he wrote, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered from his home studio. Jackson also helps other artists bring their songs to life through recording and production.
If you’d like to support Jackson, please sign up for the newsletter or consider booking him for a private event—birthdays, weddings, work parties, and more.
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About Jackson
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W/Kenny Loggins
In 2016 Jackson won a local talent contest called "Teen Star," and caught the attention of the local SB legend, Kenny Loggins.
Kenny has been kind and generous with his musical gifts over the years; inviting Jackson to perform at The Concert Across America To End Gun Violence, working together to produce "Teens Sing For Santa Barbara," a benefit show for the fire/mudslide survivors which raised over $60,000, performing the music of Footloose for the 25th anniversary.
Most recently, Jackson covered Kennys hit "This Is It" as part of Santa Barbara Records "CaliAmericana II" record. Kenny said it was the best cover of the song he'd ever heard. You can listen above by clicking on the album art. The live video is an impromptu performance recorded for the Unity Shoppe Telethon.
W/Michael McDonald
Jackson and his band had the honor of accompanying Michael McDonald at The Granada Theater in SB during The Grace Fisher Winter Showcase. The Grace Fisher Foundation provides free access to music, art, dance, and other artistic programs for people with disabilites. Learn more about Grace and her cause below.
You can watch all the performances on Jacksons YouTube through the link above.