Greg Phillinganes

The Dude

Quincy Jones · 1981

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

Quincy JonesQuincy Jonesクインシー・ジョーンズ's jazz album The Dude (1981) and Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's Thriller (1982) were recorded just a year apart with nearly the same rhythm section — Greg PhillinganesGreg Phillinganesグレッグ・フィリンゲインズ (keys), JR Robinson (drums), Louis JohnsonLouis Johnsonルイス・ジョンソン (bass), Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da Costaパウリーニョ・ダ・コスタ (percussion), Steve LukatherSteve Lukatherスティーヴ・ルカサー (guitar), Rod TempertonRod Tempertonロッド・テンパートン (songwriter). The Dude was essentially the jazz-side rehearsal for Thriller.

— The Dude — Sessiondays.com

Off the Wall

Michael Jackson · 1979

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

Michael Jackson · 1982

Brazilian percussionist Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da Costaパウリーニョ・ダ・コスタ had worked with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, and Milt Jackson before earning Quincy JonesQuincy Jonesクインシー・ジョーンズ's trust. He played percussion on all three Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン–Jones albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. The distinctive cuíca (Brazilian friction drum) that colors 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' was Da Costa's own idea. DownBeat called him 'one of the most talented percussionists of our time.'

— Paulinho da Costa: Session Musician Feature — uDiscover Music

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

The drummer on 'Billie Jean' — Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー — was a jazz musician who had played with Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard while still in college. His name 'Ndugu' (Swahili for 'brother') was given to him by Herbie HancockHerbie Hancockハービー・ハンコック during his time in Hancock's avant-garde Mwandishi band. He also played with Weather Report. Pop history's most recognizable drum groove was the work of a jazz drummer. Chancler also played drums on 'P.Y.T.' and 'Baby Be Mine' on Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's Thriller.

— Ndugu Chancler, Drummer on 'Billie Jean,' Dead at 65 — Rolling Stone

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Jazz organ titan Jimmy Smith was invited by Quincy JonesQuincy Jonesクインシー・ジョーンズ to play Hammond B3 on Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's 'Bad.' Smith recorded a 20-minute organ solo in the studio, which was then edited down to just over one minute and 'electronically altered through 10 other keyboards and synthesizers.' The greatest jazz organist in history, distilled into a pop-funk track.

— Jimmy Smith organ solo on Bad — AllSolos