Andrew Lee Jackson

JACKSON, Andrew L 1958-2012 Andrew Jackson was a dedicated father and brother, who was loved and cherished by many, passed away on Tuesday, 7/10/12 while being surrounded by sweet love from his family and close friends who were at his side to his very last breath. He was a very talented and well known local acoustic guitarist in the area and was also known widely as Andrew Jackson - "The Guitar Chameleon". Andrew has shared the stage with some of the worlds top acoustic guitarists, including Alex de Grassi, Thomas Leeb, Muriel Anderson, Vicki Genfan, Dorian Michael, Goh Kunosawa and Adam Miller. Andrew also played on stage with many local Santa Barbara musicians. Too many to mention credit to over the many years, but some such as singer/song writer John Batdorf, Lily Wilson, Jeri Brown, Kenny Edwards, Clare Muldare, musicians Barbara Coventry, Bear Erickson, Pat Milliken, Bruce Goldish, John Ornelas and many more. Andrew was also a promoter of a series of local concerts called "Circle of Friends." He never took a guitar lesson but composed hundreds of original scores performed often by his band, Duende. Born on a U.S. Air Force Base outside of Chicago, Illinois to parents Addie and Jack Jackson, Andrew first travelled the world with his parents and brothers Robert and Chuck and sister Kathy (Meritta) as dependants of their Dad and the U.S. Air Force until he retired in Santa Barbara in 1970. Andrew was a graduate of San Marcos High School (1977), where he lettered in football and began playing the guitar at 14 yrs. He was a self taught musician. Andrew was also a graduate of Santa Barbara City College (1979) in pre-med/physical therapy and continued his education at San Diego State with a B.A. degree in Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine in 1983. He then returned to Santa Barbara where he became a professional Forensic Rehabilitation Consultant/Life Care Planner for Coast Rehabilitation Services, Inc., employed there for over 23 yrs. Everyone knew and witnessed that Andrew's true passion was to learn and play as many aspects of the acoustic guitar. His beautiful composed melodies and arrangements performed live will be dearly missed by all of us, but his many recorded collections of beautifully compositions are still with us, along with a vivid image of the intensely played love of his guitar. Proceeded in death by his mother Addie Jackson (2003) and father Jack Jackson (2008) Andrew is survived by his daughter Lauren Jackson, brothers Robert and Chuck Jackson, sister Kathy (Meritta) Jackson Hinds, nephews Joshua Jackson, Kyle Jackson, Alexander Hinds and niece Alicia Hinds. There are also very many numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that are in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia and West Virginia. Friends of Andrew are invited to attend chapel service on Saturday, 7/21/12 at 1pm at the Cambridge Drive Community Church, 550 Cambridge Drive, Goleta (805) 964-0436. Following the 1 hour service will be a potluck/bar-b-que. outside on the chapel grounds. A memorial service with the spreading of his ashes at sea is set for a later date. "In the vibration of the string is the song we sing...he is in every guitar because that was the commitment he made...bless you, friends of A.J... you are his strings..." "May he once again play loud and free in the high heavens, forever.." Special warm thanks go out to so many for the loving comfort provided and angelic care given to Andrew to the very end; Kelly, Heidi, Loretta, Bill, David, Barbara, Anita, Brad, Roy, both Cheryls, Lauren, Paull, Susan, SoHo folks and so many generous musician friends. An extra special Thank You to the very professional and compassionate caring staff of the Serenity House Hospice Care Facility along with the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care people. To you my sweet people, I thank thee especially, because you were, the winged angels that guided him home peacefully to his maker. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in the name of Andrew Jackson to Santa Barbara Hospice Care, Serenity House Hospice, or UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program for Brain Cancer Research.

Andrew Lee Jackson

August 31, 1958 - July 10, 2012