Jordon Dixon On!

Jordon Dixon
On!
Self-produced

"On!" is the second recording by Washington DC area tenor saxophonist Jordon Dixon. Dixon, a graduate of the jazz program of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), today is no young prodigy although when he was 15 sitting in at bars and clubs in his native Baton Rouge, he may have been considered as such. He came to DC after serving as a musician in the US Marine Corps. Graduating from UDC, he released the self-produced "Conversation Among Friends" which was issued in conjunction with his senior recital.

Dixon composed the nine compositions heard here (one in two takes) and backed by a superb band of some of the DC area's finest musicians. The remarkable Allyn Johnson, who is the head of Jazz Studies as UDC, plays piano here. He also engineered, mixed, and mastered this recording. On bass is Herman Burney who like Johnson is a respected educator and mentor to many local jazz artists and played with Freddie Cole, Terrell Stafford, Rene Marie, and others. On drums is Carroll V (CV) Dashiell who has played with Benny Golson, Bobby Watson, the late Geri Allen, and others.JS Williams adds trumpet to two tracks.

The material ranges from blues, hard bop and ballads and Dixon impress the listener with his big tone and the repertoire. On the opening track, "Notes From the Nook," Dixon displays his full sound and the authority with which he plays the blues. Johnson, who is also heard on organ, follows with a terrific solo before Burney takes an arco bass solo. The tempo picks up with the brisk pace of "Way too Serious," with the leader navigating the tempo with ease. "What You've Done For Me" is a lovely ballad where Dixon's warmth is complemented by Johnson's excellent accompaniment and solo. Dashiell's crisply kicks off "We Kin," a lively hard bop performance.

The title track opens with some rhapsodic piano before shifting to some hot swing with Burney and Dashiell driving this spirited number with Burney and Johnson also contributing cogent solos. "Flame and Friction" is a late-night blues with JS Williams adding his trumpet on this first-rate selection. "Lee Lee Dee" is a robustly played swinger followed by a precious ballad "She Meant It When She Said It," with Burney's solo giving this performance deep roots. Williams returns for "Fake Flowers," a tune that hints at a New Orleans parade as well as the church music all these artists grew up with. Dashiell takes a strong, crisp solo here.

An alternate take of "Notes From the Nook," closes this recording. Jordon Dixon impresses with the invention and passion he brings. One can hear the influences of Coltrane and Sonny Rollins at times, but also with his big tone and warmth, and affinity for blues and ballads will especially appeal to fans of Houston Person and the late Stanley Turrentine and Gene Ammons. Simply stated, this is a fabulous recording.

Jordon Dixon will be celebrating a CD Release Show Monday, June 10th 7:00 pm, JAZZ Alive@UDC, part of the DC Jazz Fest's Jazz in the 'Hoods.' For more information on this performance, check www.dcjazzfest.org. This looks like a show not to miss, although I will be unable to attend because of travel.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of Jordan at a student recital performing "Lee Lee Dee."