All That Jazz With Javon Jackson

Javon Anthony Jackson is an American jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader and educator who blends tradition with neo-jazz. He came into international prominence as a member of the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers from 1986 until Blakey’s death in 1990. Jackson went on to release 20 recordings as a bandleader and tour and record on over 150 albums with jazz greats including Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Haden, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Stanley Turrentine and Ben E. King. Jackson played on Tupac Shakur's "Keep Ya Head Up" in 1993, was named Chair of the University of Hartford's Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies in 2013, directs the Jackie McLean Jazz Studies Jazz Assembly at the Newport Jazz Assembly, and serves as Artistic Director of Jazz in the Valley in New York's Hudson Valley. Check out our video to hear Javon tell stories of his early days, including how he found his instrument, what he learned on tour, and how important it is to make connections within the industry. He also shares his honest and unique career advice, including the importance of education, the benefits of writing your own original music, and how to know when you’ve truly connected to your audience. We had the chance to catch up with Javon and talk with him about all that Jazz. FOLLOW US: Instagram:   / bmi   Twitter:   / bmi   Facebook:   / broadcastmusicinc   LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/1XVWvWo http://www.bmi.com ABOUT BMI: Celebrating over 78 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in 14 million musical works created and owned by more than 900,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music, Inc.‘s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI’s The Weekly™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.