Jackson (Eric) is born in Providence, Rhode Island.

The son of Samuel Jackson, believed to be the first African-American disc jockey in New England in 1947, and Betty Evans Jackson, Eric Jackson grows up in New Jersey, attends Boston University, where he begins his career as a jazz disc jockey on WBUR in 1969. He marries Linda Trifiletti in 1975, moves to 18 Worcester Square, and subsequently moves to Randolph. Jackson goes on to work at WHRB, WILD, and WBCN, and WGBH, where he begins hosting hosting his longtime show in 1981.* Known as the “Dean of Boston Jazz Radio,” he also teaches at various local universities. Jackson in Boston on September 17,2022.