the mjq had a long independent career of some two decades until disbanding in 1974, when jackson split with lewis. the group reformed in 1981, however, and continued until 1993, after which jackson toured alone, performing in various small combos, although agreeing to periodic mjq reunions. from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, jackson recorded for norman granz's pablo records, including "jackson, johnson, brown & company" (1983), featuring jackson with j. j. johnson on trombone, ray brown on bass, backed by tom ranier on piano, guitarist john collins, and drummer roy mccurdy.