TONY JACKSON

Tony Jackson was born in New Orleans in 1876 where, in his early teens, he would find himself playing the piano in saloons, brothels, and honky tonks. Just after the turn of the century, he arrived in Chicago looking for an environment that would welcome both his musical talent and his sexuality. He moved to 4045 S. State St., on Chicago’s south side, to an area known as The Stroll, a place so littered with fantastic music clubs that you could easily stroll from one to another.

Jackson slowly made a name for himself in the Windy City and served as a mentor for many soon-to-be-famous jazz artists such as Jelly Roll Morton. Morton would say of Jackson, “he was the outstanding favorite of New Orleans…Tony was considered among all who knew him the greatest single-handed entertainer in the world.” And he would add, “Tony happened to be one of these gentlemens that a lot of people call them lady or sissy.” Tony Jackson was an openly gay man at a time when people, especially Black men, were not openly gay.

Tony Jackson would become a legend in his own right for his work in bridging the jazz styles of New Orleans and the jazz styles of Chicago. His big hit, Pretty Baby, recorded in 1916, was mass marketed as a song about a woman, but the story goes that the lyrics originally reflected his feelings for one of his early male lovers. Sadly, none of the original lyrics are known to exist and the majority of his original compositions have been lost.

Jackson sold his rights to Pretty Baby for a mere $45 and ultimately died a poor man at the age of 44. On November 9, 2011, Tony Jackson was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Learn more from this interactive article from WTTW.

THE STROLL BEER - HAYMARKET BREWING + SAM ROSS + JAY WESTBROOK (THE BLACK BEER BARON)

This brewers for this beer wanted to choose an individual that honored the LGBT community and selected Tony Jackson. A Bronze Ale made with honey malt. 6% ABV.

The ingredients and connection: We were inspired by Tony Jackson's move from New Orleans to Chicago for a fresh start. He was unapologetically himself at a time when being gay was not widely accepted. He faced that adversity and accomplished so much while still mentoring the next generation of entertainers, like Jelly Roll Morton. We felt some parallels with Tony's push for a new beginning here in Chicago, creating his own space, with the origin story and mission of Jay & Sam's Harold's '83 Honey Ale project. The use of Honey Malt pays tribute to that unapologetic spirit of being true to yourself while paving the way for future generations.