Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) a form of address, usu. between men.

1936		‘Hectic Harlem’ in N.Y. Amsterdam News 8 Feb. sect. 2: JACKSON. – A colored person.
1938		Pic (N.Y.) Mar. 6: steady jackson. — take it easy.
1945		C. Himes ‘Make with the Shape’ in Coll. Stories 110: [T]he elegant, dignified cat next to him asked discreetly, ‘What’s your story, Jaxon; you stop one in the chops?’.
1948		N. Mailer Naked and Dead 616: Well, now hold on, Jackson, let’s take a breat’.
1951		D. Dressler Parole Chief 97: ‘Okay, Jackson, okay!’ he barked.
1961		R. Russell Sound 210: ‘Hey there, Jackson!’ Vann was trying to strike the right note, but it didn’t come off. ‘Jackson’ was a year or two out of date.
1996		P. Beatty White Boy Shuffle 66: Bleeeet eet eeet raaaaant dit dit dent ting ting ting. Send me, Jackson, send me.
1999		J. Ridley Everybody Smokes in Hell 128: I’m not just tits and ass, Jackson.

2. (US teen) a popular individual.

1945		Pittsburgh Post-Gaz. (PA) 12 Dec. 12/5: That’s What I Like about the South. — Equivalent to ‘Pass the Drool Cup’ when you see a Solid jackson or he sees a Smooth Chick.
1947		Baltimore Sun (MD) 22 June Magazine 6/5: Jackson . . . good guy.