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Arts in Education |
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Honing his craft, Jackson began working professionally in local jazz clubs at age 16, playing with former Max Roach Quintet pianist Billy Wallace. In high school he also performed in the McDonald's All-American Band. Branford Marsalis encouraged Javon to attend Boston's prestigious Berklee School of Music. Two of Javon's instructors at Berklee were saxophonist Billy Pierce and pianist Donald Brown, two former members of Art Blakey's legendary Jazz Messengers After sitting in one night, Javon's skill on the tenor earned him an invitation to join the group. Javon remained with the Messengers for over three years until Blakey's death in 1990. Looking back on that time, Javon said, "I wouldn't be where I am today without him. Blakey taught me to be a man; he taught me how to be a leader."Javon earned his degree from Berklee while continuing to tour with Hubbard, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden and Cedar Walton. His debut as a leader came quickly, in 1991, when he released Burnin' and Me and Mr. Jones on the Criss Cross Label. Presently on the Palmetto label his latest release is “Now”. |
Steve Colson, a pianist and composer, has
performed internationally as a leader of jazz ensembles
ranging from trios
to orchestras. A critically acclaimed figure in modern jazz,
Steve’s compositions are finding their way into the “jazz standard”
repertoire and are being performed and recorded by some of today’s
jazz greats as well as by his own group. His music has been compared
to that of Monk, Mingus, and Ellington as well as Ives, Berio, and
Stravinsky. Steve’s latest CD as a leader was Hope for Love, a
collaborative effort with his wife Iqua.
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 Les McCann McCann's laid-back personality has always been an opening for musicians to perform together. He would move constantly, playing in countless sessions with the greatest names in jazz. He co-produced and co-headlined the debut album from Lou Rawls, Stormy Monday (1960), and guest appeared with Stanley Turrentine, who played sax on McCann's In New York (1960) and McCann on Turrentine's That's Where It's At (1960). In the early seventies, McCann heard Roberta Flack for the first time at a nightclub in Washington D.C., and immediately became her champion label deal. Les is best known for his work in the late 60s and early 70s with partner/saxman Eddie Harris, whom he first encountered at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The resulting album, Swiss Movement (1960), was a top selling jazz record, and the single "Compared to What" sold platinum. The same year, Much Les, without Harris, hit hard with the ballad "With These Hands." Second Movement (1971), reunited McCann and Harris, and acclaimed recordings such as Invitation to Openness (1972), the double-record Live at Montreux (1973), and Layers (1973) followed. The latter was a revolutionary, improvisational experiment that included 15 musicians and one 27-minute song. Les McCann helped pioneer the use of electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizer, starting with this work which was one of the earliest electronic jazz albums.
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 Joe Bataan was born and raised in Spanish Harlem (East Side of Manhattan New York) in 1942 to an African-American mother and Filipino father. †His given name was Bataan Nitollano. Bataan had a vision to combine Latin music with Rhythm and Blues. †As a result of this musical merge Joe Bataan became known as the first recording artist to create authentically Latin Soul music. †By merging Latin music with R&B tunes in the late 60's, "Latin Soul" was officially born by the creator Joe Bataan. Self taught on the piano, he organized his first band in 1965 and scored his first recording success in 1967 with " Gypsy Woman " on Fania Records. †" Gypsy Woman " crossed over to R&B radio along with " Subway Joe " †The title track of Gypsy Woman was first aired by radio DJ Dick "Ricardo" Sugar, became an instant hit in New York's Latin community. †Ironically, Mr. Bataan had initially written the song " Gypsy Woman" with Spanish lyrics for the band's co-lead vocalist Joe Pagan to perform. †It didn't seem to work, †so he started singing the song himself in English at gigs and received an enthusiastic reaction. †
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Javon
Jackson 
T.K. Blue combines African, Caribbean,
South American rhythms and tonalities. He makes music with the
saxophone, alto and soprano, flute and kalimba. In a Blue set you¹ll
hear everything from swing to funk to reggae to samba but the point
at which it starts is jazz. TK Blue will be performing portions of
³Follow The North Star², an original composition commissioned by
TRANSART. "Follow the North Star is a Jazz Suite in nine movements
and tells the story of Solomon Northrup. Commission made possible
with a support from New York State Council on the Arts.