[2] He was born a twin, along with Prince Albert Jackson, who died in New Orleans on January 5, 1884,[3] at fourteen months of age, further reinforcing the October 1882 birth date as correct.

At about the age of 10 he reportedly constructed a type of crude but working and properly tuned harpsichord out of junk in his back yard, since his family lacked the money to buy or rent a piano.

[6] On this contraption young Tony was able to reproduce hymns he heard in church; news of this accomplishment soon spread around the neighborhood and he was offered use of neighbors' pianos and reed organs to practice on.

Jackson got his first musical job at age 13,[7] when he began playing piano during off hours at a Tonk run by bandleader Adam Olivier.

[8] Jackson dressed himself with a pearl gray derby, checkered vest, ascot tie with a diamond stickpin, with sleeve garters on his arms to hold up his cuffs as he played.

[18] Jackson was resident performer at the De Luxe and Pekin Cafes in Chicago, although in his later years, his voice and dexterity were impaired by disease.

Although it has been cited by some as syphilis, the diagnosis at the time of his death was the more likely cirrhosis of the liver which had been progressing for years, in addition to chronic epilepsy.

[22] The play Don't You Leave Me Here by Clare Brown, which premiered at West Yorkshire Playhouse in September 2008, deals with his relationship with Jelly Roll Morton.