Well Known Saxophonist To Headline Branford Jazz Fest This Week

BRANFORD, CT - Born on June 16th, 1965 in Carthage, Missouri, Javon Jackson was born into a musical family. His mother was a pianist and his father played trumpet. However, it was the saxophone which sparked the interest of this current and prominent international recording artist into launching a career of traditional neo-jazz music.

Branford jazz supporters will have the fortune to enjoy his music as this jazz tenor saxophonist and head of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, emerges onto the Branford Town Hall stage, August 16th, 2018, starting at 6:30 p.m.

A student of pianist Billy Wallace, Javon briefly enrolled at the University of Denver, before spending part of 1985-86 at the Berklee College of Music, which he abandoned to join drummer Art Blakey’s band as a member of the renowned “Jazz Messengers”. He completed his undergraduate degree and obtained a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Purchase.

Javon joined the prodigious, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and performed with them from 1987 until Blakey’s death in 1990. Symbolizing a new generation of musicians that blended tradition with neo-jazz, Javon went on to release 14 recordings as a band leader and tour and record over 135 cds with jazz greats including Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Haden, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller, JoAnne Brackeen, Stanley Turrentine, and Ben E. King and many others.

In 1992, Jackson made his recording debut, with Me and Mr. Jones, featuring James Williams, Christian McBride and master drummer and NEA Jazz Master Elvin Jones. Javon also recorded six projects for Blue Notes Records featuring collaborations with Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Kenny Garrett, Jacky Terrason, John Medeski, and Vernon Reid. Among his later recordings for Palmetto Records, Javon explored funk based jazz, incorporating the sounds of Fred Wesley, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lenny White, Mark Whitfield and others. Jackson’s current musical group, The Javon Jackson Band, blends many styles including jazz, funk, R&B, and rock.

In 2012, Jackson released two self-produced recordings, Lucky 13 and Javon Jackson and WE FOUR, celebrating John Coltrane. These cd’s marked his return to acoustic jazz. For Lucky 13, Javon covers music by Steve Wonder as well as newly comprised original music and is joined by special guest, Les McCann, for three selections. Javon Jackson and WE FOUR, Celebrating John Coltrane, is a tribute to the iconic saxophonist, composer and bandleader. The release is highlighted by an appearance by NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb, drummer for both Coltrane and Miles Davis.

In 2010, Javon was commissioned by the Syracuse International Film Festival to compose a full-length score for the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Lodger, a silent movie based on the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The original score had its debut at the festival, performed live by Jackson at the film’s screening on October 2010.
In 2012, Javon was the recipient of the prestigious Benny Golson Award from Howard University in Washington, D.C. for recognition of legendary excellence in jazz.

In addition to his performance schedule, Javon is a highly sought after jazz educator, conducting clinics and lectures at universities throughout the United States and abroad. He served as Assistant Professor of Jazz at Long Island University (NY) 1996-1998, and in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (NY) 1999-2007. In 2013, Jackson accepted the position of Director of the Jackie McLean Institute at the University of Hartford.

Javon currently serves as a Jazz Panelist for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. He is also a member of JEN (Jazz Education Network) and lends support as JENerations Jazz Festival Artist and Clinician Coordinator.