JAVON JACKSON & NIKKI GIOVANNI

JAVON & NIKKI GO TO THE MOVIES

Solid Jackson Imprint/Palmetto Records

Javon Jackson, tenor saxophone; Nikki Giovanni, poetry; Jeremy Manasia, piano; David Williams, bass; McClenty Hunter, drums; Nicole Zuraitis, vocals.

Tenor sax man, Javon Jackson has composed the opening tune. It’s a well-written piece that swings nicely and gives his band an opportunity to showcase their talents with individual solos. This is Straight-ahead jazz, titled “When the Time is Right.”

Speaking of ‘time’ the tempo master, McClenty Hunter on drums, is featured throughout and takes an impressive solo at the fade of the tune. Jeremy Manasia is masterful on piano, with a solo that’s artistic and fluid.  I enjoy bandleader Jackson’s solo also, and the beautiful tone he displays on his tenor saxophone.

This is the second recording where Jackson and Giovanni share artistic perspectives.  She, being an OG poet from the revolutionary movement of the early 70s, as well as a commentator, activist, and educator. She’s one of the world’s celebrated African American poets and was born in 1943. Jackson was born some twenty-two years later, in 1965 and is an African American jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader and educator.  He made his mark on the jazz scene as a member of the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers from 1987 until Art’s death in1990.

Despite their age difference, Nikki and Javon hit it off and first recorded an album collaboration in 2022 called “Javon Jackson the gospel According to Nikki Giovanni.”

On the second track of this recent release the band plays “Speak Low” and Giovanni recites a poem called “That Day” that’s erotic, in a sweet, romantic way. The lyrics remind a lover of what they did together on a special day and implies they should do it again.

Javon Jackson also features the wonderful jazz vocals of Nicole Zuraitis on “How About You” featuring an arrangement where her soprano voice links tones with Jackson’s tenor saxophone. They have a close, musical conversation that’s quite lovely.  Especially the rich, improvised ending. She is also melodiously featured on “I Belong to You.”

His composition “Theme for Nikki” is a tribute to the great poetess.  It’s a blues, that’s arranged as a slow walk, with David Williams’ double bass strutting with rhythm.  The other way Jackson tributes Giovanni is by arranging some of her favorite standard tunes, many of them originally composed for Hollywood film soundtracks. Thus, the album title, “Javon & Nikki Go to the Movies.”

Every tune on this artistic endeavor spotlights the tone and virtuosity of Javon Jackson.  His tenor saxophone is like an aphrodisiac.  When combined with the erotic poetry of Giovanni, they elevate jazz and creative journalism to a higher level.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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