Jackson, Javon: For You

Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson has been around the block a time or two as noted with his twenty studio albums as a band leader, including his latest titled For You. Odes, tributes, originals and a couple of standards are tackled by this formidable quartet consisting of Javon Jackson (tenor saxophone), Jeremy Manasia (piano), David Williams (bass) and McClenty Hunter (drums).

As the press release states this album is “steeped in tradition� which really sums it up rather well. A cover of Jerome Kern’s standard “I’m Old Fashioned� begins the disc with its sentimental piano motif before going into a gently swinging sound that will surely put a smile on anyone who appreciates jazz’s great past. From the piano to the adept rhythm section to Jackson’s sweetly melodic tones, this is a slice of pure joy. The upbeat and rousing tribute to Freddie Hubbard titled “My Man Hubbard� has the band playing hard and fast, completely locked into the groove with fantastic sax and piano solo spots. And let us not forget the exceptional drum and bass work moving the piece at a furious pace. The somewhat sultry saxophone in the Wayne Shorter classic “Backstage Sally� has a bluesy touch and those dramatic stop/starts are head turning. The creative bass intro and slinky piano lines in the Jackson original “Mr. Sanders�, a tribute to tenor saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders, is another fine track. Jackson leaves his mark as well offering up another great solo.

If you still seek jazz of a bygone era where tremendous musicianship meets sentimental melodies and swinging rhythmic grooves you really need to give this one a spin. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. I’m Old Fashioned (4:46)
2. My Man Hubbard (4:30)
3. Backstage Sally (5:37)
4. Mr. Sanders (5:30)
5. Sun Up (5:05)
6. Simple Pleasure (5:33)
7. Lelia (5:31)
8. Native Son (5:45)
9. Holy Land (7:06)
10. 88 Strings (4:28)

Added: February 9th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1303
Language: english

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