JACKET or JAQUET. See BEKCHEN.

JACHINT, (Giuseppe) a celebrated violoncellist at Bologna, about the year 1700.

JACKSON, (James) a celebrated singer at Trinity college, Cambridge, in the middle of the last century.

JACKSON, (William) an eminent musical composer and a man of letters, was born in 1730 at Exeter. His father, a shopkeeper in that city, gave him a liberal education, with a view to a learned profession; but he displayed so decided a taste for music, that he was placed as a pupil to Travers, organist of the cathedral in Exeter. In 1748, he removed to London, and passed two years under the tuition of John Travers, organist to the king's chapel, and an eminent song composer. He then returned to his native place, where he settled for life, as a teacher, performer, and composer of music. He soon attained reputation and employment; but it was not till 1777 that he succeeded to the places of sub chanter, organist, lay-vicar, and master 384 of the choristers in the cathedral. His talents in musical composition were first made known in 1775, when he printed a collection of twelve songs, set in a manner so simple, elegant, and original, as soon to become favourites with the public. He shortly after published a second and a third collection of songs; and it is by his vocal compositions, that he has acquired the greatest reputation. Among his musical works, are also anthems, hymns, odes, elegies, and canzonets, some of them of great merit and originality. Chasteness of conception, ingenuity of construction, and truth of expression, are their general characteristics. In instrumental music, some of his sonatas for the harpsichord are much applauded.