New Orleans R&B musician Al ‘Lil Fats’ Jackson named to hometown hall of fame

Al “Lil Fats” Jackson learned to play the keyboard when he was 16 years old. In his three-decade-plus career since then, there have been many highlights.

He’s gotten to play with his idol, Fats Domino, including at a ceremony when Domino was presented with a Grammy Award.

He’s entertained fans at New Orleans Saints games, played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and performed with local bands including “The Music Machine,” “Blue Eyes Soul,” and “The Foret Tradition.”

Now, he’s being honored on his West Bank home turf as a new member of the Westbank Musicians Hall of Fame. 

A reluctant star

Alvin Earl Jackson Jr.’s journey to becoming a celebrated musician started in an unexpected way. Growing up in Bridge City, he was surrounded by music, but his mother, a court deputy in Orleans Parish, pushed him toward the stage.

A judge she knew asked young Jackson to sing Fats Domino’s songs at his Christmas party.

“I was very introverted and the idea of doing this was crazy. I said, ‘No’, but that didn’t fly with my mother,” Jackson said. Refusing was not an option, as his access to her car for the weekend was at stake.

Reluctantly, young Jackson performed two Christmas songs and a Fats Domino classic, intending to duck out immediately afterward.

But a man in the audience waylaid Jackson. He was so impressed that he offered Jackson a regular gig, and that’s when his professional music career began.

Family influences

His musical journey was deeply rooted in his family. His grandfather managed The Vets Club in Bridge City, which was owned by his great-grandmother. The club had a vast vinyl collection of New Orleans music, and Jackson’s favorite was the Domino.

He still specializes in New Orleans R&B and is well-known for his Fats Domino tributes.

At 16, he got his first keyboard and taught himself to play.

During his senior year at L.W. Higgins High School in 1991, Jackson picked up a French horn in music class; then the music teacher handed him a trombone. When the teacher asked him to join the band, he was reluctant but  agreed on one condition: that he could spend time alone in the piano room.

Over that year, he also played the saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and cymbals. His dedication to music continued to grow.

Big moments

By 1995, Jackson secured a contract with the New Orleans Saints, entertaining audiences at the Club Level. Already an avid Saints fan, this gig was a dream come true.

But the real highlight came when Jackson met his idol in 1997. Jackson was at a benefit performance, playing Domino tunes, when local musician Oliver Morgan, best known for his hit “Who Shot the La La,” approached him. “Fats needs to hear this, he won’t believe it. I’m gonna take you to meet him,” Morgan said.

They met at Domino’s home in the 9th Ward. The moment Domino opened the door, Jackson was star-struck.

 “I couldn’t believe it,” Jackson said. “I froze.”

“Fats leaned over toward me and sang a jingle I wrote for Frankie and Johnny’s Furniture,” Jackson said.

Domino asked Jackson to play the piano. “So, here I am sitting in front of Fats’ piano with Oliver on one side of me and Fats on the other … ,” Jackson said, “I looked down and I couldn’t think of anything to play, so Oliver suggested ‘The Fat Man’.”

Domino told him, “You almost have it. You have the left hand correct, but let me show you.”

Domino took over the piano, showing him the correct way to play the piece while holding a conversation with Morgan the entire time. Jackson watched in awe at Domino’s effortless playing.

The two met again when Harrah’s Casino had just opened, and Domino invited Jackson to a show. Jackson rushed back from Houston to make it. 

“I walked backstage, and all the local musicians were there such as Ernie K. Doe, Frog Man Henry and Irma Thomas, and I watched as Domino performed,” Jackson said.

During his performance of “My Blue Heaven,” Domino spotted Jackson at the edge of the stage and acknowledged him, creating one of Jackson’s cherished memories. “He got up from his piano and walked over to shake my hand,” Jackson said.

Jackson also was invited to perform at Tipitina’s in New Orleans during a special ceremony presenting Domino with a Grammy Award. In 2008, Jackson returned to Tipitina’s to celebrate Domino’s birthday, and he “counts these two shows among the best of his career and a privilege to honor his idol.”

Jackson lives in Marrero with his wife, Tiffanie Cormier, and their two children, Tia Jackson and Alvin E. Jackson III. He remains deeply connected to his roots.

His induction into the West Bank Musicians Hall of Fame is a testament to his impact on the local music scene. “I am honored to be inducted into the West Bank Musicians Hall of Fame and that people from my hometown considered me for this is an honor. I will carry this with me for the rest of my life,” Jackson said.

As Jackson continues to perform, he reflects on his journey with gratitude. From a shy teenager forced to sing at a Christmas party to a celebrated musician, Jackson’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and following one’s passion.

Jackson has two upcoming performances this month. He will be at Boomtown Casino, Harvey on June 21; and at Rock ‘N’ Bowl, New Orleans on June 23.

OTHER INDUCTEES: A ceremony and dance honoring the hall of fame inductees will be held at the Westwego Civic Association on June 2.

The others are: Nelson Blanchard, Steve Burke, Cully Cressionie, Rhonda Dupont, Mike Hebert, Coty Knoblock Sr., Emmett Kron, Mitch Matherne, Johnny Pennison, Freddie Rodrigue, Kyle Thomas and the band, “PBR Plus,” featuring Pershing Wells, Bryan Zeringue, Richard Toups, Jody Naquin and Cory LeBeouf.

The Hall of Fame was formed in 2003 to honor local musicians’ contributions to the community.