Oliver Jackson, also known as Bops Junior, was an American jazz drummer.



Jackson played in Detroit in the 1940s with Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, and Wardell Gray, and had a variety show with Eddie Locke called Bop & Locke.



After working with Yusef Lateef from 1954-56 Oliver Jackson moved to New York, where he played regularly at the Metropole in 1957-58.



Following this Oliver Jackson worked with Teddy Wilson, Charlie Shavers (1959-61), Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman (1962), Lionel Hampton (1962-64), Kenny Burrell, Earl Hines (1964-70 intermittently) and the JPJ Quartet with Budd Johnson



Later in life he played with Sy Oliver (1975-80), Oscar Peterson, and George Wein's Newport All-Stars.



As a bandleader, Oliver Jackson led a 1961 date in Switzerland and recorded at least five albums for Black & Blue Records between 1977 and 1984.



Oliver Jackson died from heart failure at the age of 61.



Regarded as one of the best mainstream drummers working, Oliver "Bops Junior" Jackson easily switched between swing and be-bop styles. He was ceaselessly elegant in his playing, with a beautiful, shimmering ride cymbal and an easy swing that kept him constantly in demand.