Jazz Articles about Javon Jackson

Javon Jackson: Now

by AAJ Italy Staff
March 2, 2007

Il poco più che quarantenne sassofonista di Denver è giunto ormai all’undicesimo capitolo della sua discografia, ed è ormai un talento consolidato, quindi proprio per questo ogni volta ci si attende una prova maiuscola. Jackson non è molto conosciuto in Italia, ma dal 1987 al 1990 ha fatto parte dell’ultima formazione degli storici Jazz Messengers al fianco di Art Blakey, con il quale ha suonato anche in diversi album per poi dedicarsi ad una carriera solista. Dopo aver inciso per ...

Javon Jackson: Have You Heard

by John Kelman
June 18, 2005

Continuing down the path he laid with '03's Easy Does It, tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson's latest, Have You Heard, is another groove-happy release that turns away from his earlier straight-ahead discs on Criss Cross and Blue Note, moving even further towards a soulful, funky vibe with greater crossover appeal. Lightweight it may be, but it's also a lot of fun and, if assessed on its own merits, successful in an easy-on-the-ears kind of way.

Back from Easy Does It are ...

Javon Jackson: Easy Does It

by C. Michael Bailey
July 25, 2003

Javon Jackson’s band on Easy Does It is not unlike the Wayne Shorter-Curtis Fuller Jazz Messengers... both boast superb lineups, but only Jackson and his band are steeped in the 21st Century Groove. Mr. Jackson’s previous five recordings for Blue Note established him as fresh new voice in jazz, unafraid of stirring things up a bit. He took that attitude and shot it at light-speed into the Palmetto studios to produce a funk masterpiece.

Mr. Jackson has chosen the right ...

Various: Thank You, Joe!

by AAJ Staff
August 1, 2000

Arkadia has a good thing going for it: tribute albums. Interestingly, Thank You, Joe! is Arkadia's first CD of appreciation extended to a living jazz legend. Previous honorees have included John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Gerry Mulligan.Thank goodness that Arkadia had the insight to honor Henderson. Such a tribute raises the question, however, of how many other living jazz innovators should be honored: Lucky Thompson, Ray Brown, Dave Brubeck, Jon Hendricks, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Horace Silver, Roy ...

Joanne Brackeen: Popsicle Illusion

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2000

Pianist Joanne Brackeen’s Grammy nominated release; “Pink Elephant Magic” easily ranks as one of the top releases of 1999. With her follow up, titled Popsicle illusion - Ms. Brackeen embarks on a solo piano recital that features a series of originals and time honored standards as the jazz public receives yet another extraordinary glimpse of this remarkably talented musician.

Listen to how she seamlessly melds James P. Johnson style stride piano with lush harmonies and jazzy single note leads while ...

Joanne Brackeen: Popsicle Illusion

by AAJ Staff
August 1, 2000

Joanne Brackeen is an original, that's for sure. And a very talented original, needless to say. Seeming to go her own way in the inspirations for her music, she also goes her own way during a performance. It's as if she sets out with a foundation for a tune, and then anything goes as she builds the structure upon her immovable underpinnings.Take “If I Were A Bell". Legitimized by Miles Davis as a source for jazz improvisation, Brackeen ...

Joanne Brackeen: Popsicle Illusion

by David Adler
August 1, 2000

This virtuosic solo piano outing by Joanne Brackeen gives Chick Corea’s year 2000 solo series a run for its money. It’s also quite a departure from the busier sound of 1999’s Pink Elephant Magic. But like her previous record, Popsicle Illusion is packed with Brackeen’s characteristic exuberance, sophistication, and diverse stylistic command.Beginning with a 7/4 stride piano version of “If I Were a Bell," Brackeen goes on to tackle several other standards and four strong originals. She performs ...