Javon Jackson

Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson and his quartet perform Friday, May 10th at Dazzle Denver.

Jackson is joined by pianist Jeremy Manasia, bassist David Williams, and drummer Billy Drummond. Performance features music from Jackson’s acclaimed original film score With Peter Bradley for the art-world documentary on the iconoclastic abstract artist

“In composing the music for With Peter Bradley…Jackson is also painting a series of pictures. The original music…is like a full exhibit, an extended play expression of the lightheartedness and verve of the enigmatic Peter Bradley.” – Joshua Myers, DownBeat

The soundtrack nods to some of Bradley’s favorite jazz icons including Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Art Blakey with whom Jackson performed for many years. Encompassing a range of styles from hard bop to evocative ballads, the score reveals Jackson as a nuanced jazz portraitist, able to condense character or action into bold, swinging melody. The album has earned broad critical acclaim:

“The original music from the documentary… is like a full exhibit, an extended play expression of the lightheartedness and verve of the enigmatic Peter Bradley.” – Josh Myers, DownBeat

“Jackson’s thrilling score veers from brawny hard bop to poignant ballads, displaying a wide

compositional palette. The emotional musical portraits are flawless, and the interwoven nods to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Art Blakey, Bradley’s favorite jazz icons, are ingenious. The soundtrack alongside four tracks recorded during sessions for Jackson’s 2022 release with the great poet Nikki Giovanni make for a stunning album.” – Monarch Magazine

“Whether you ever see the documentary or not, the soundtrack is right in the wheelhouse for those who enjoy the hard bop, classic quintet recordings that we typically associate with the classic Blue Note period in the ‘60s. In many respects, though, it’s a timeless straight ahead jazz sound that Jackson presents” – Jim Hynes, Making a Scene

“What a soundtrack! It’s the Messengers recreated. Gutsy tenor from Jackson, cutting edge trumpet by Glassman...and a cracking rhythm section.” – Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here

“The genius of what Jackson has done with this moving score is offer tributes to many of the jazz artists who inspired Bradley: Art Blakey, John Coltrane and Miles Davis.” – Craig Byrd, Cultural Attache

Javon Jackson

Missouri-born tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson left his studies at Berklee College of Music in 1986 to join Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he later played alongside pianist Benny Green, trumpeter Philip Harper, trombonist Robin Eubanks and bassist Peter Washington. Jackson remained a fixture in the Jazz Messengers until Blakey’s passing in 1990. In 1991, Jackson made his recording debut with Me and Mr. Jones, featuring James Williams, Christian McBride, and master drummer Elvin Jones. He joined Jones’ group in 1992, appearing on the great drummer’s albums Youngblood and Going Home. Jackson’s 1994 Blue Note debut, When the Time Is Right, was a straight-ahead affair produced by iconic jazz vocalist and bandleader Betty Carter. His subsequent four Blue Note recordings featured wildly eclectic programs ranging from Caetano Veloso, Frank Zappa and Santana to Muddy Waters, Al Green and Serge Gainsbourg. For the Palmetto label he explored a blend of funk, jazz and soul with such stellar sidemen as organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, guitarists Mark Whitfield and David Gilmore, trombonist Fred Wesley and drummer Lenny White. In 2012, he launched his own Solid Jackson Records with Celebrating John Coltrane. His latest releases for the label include 2022’s The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, a historic, gospel-tinged collaboration with the renowned African American poet, activist and educator and 2023’s With Peter Bradley the original film score for the art work documentary on abstract artist Bradley. In addition to his performing and composing career, Jackson serves as Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.