Calvin Jackson Jazz Variations

Calvin Jackson (1961-2015) was an American drummer from north Mississippi. He is considered an innovator in the Hill country blues style of drumming, having incorporated elements of the regional Fife and drum bands style in the blues band setting.
In 1999 he released the only album under his own name, Calvin Jackson & Mississippi Bound's Goin' Down South. For this effort Jackson covered songs by such obvious influences as Mississippi Fred McDowell plus added his original complaints to this whining, fussing genre such as "Hard to Get Along" and "It's Gonna Rain". The album was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category of "Best New Artist Debut".

Michael Gregory Jackson's first recording as a leader has been reissued on CD from the ESP-Disk group, and it's a vivid reminder of how melodically charged his music is from a more subtle perspective. With Jackson primarily on acoustic guitar, the memorable melody lines he stretches to full Zen-like lengths are perfectly clear, yet evoke his individualism with little doubt.

1964's Vibrations is another fine set by Milt Jackson. This time Jackson is joined by four horns and another strong rhythm section. Tenor player Jimmy Heath, sounding satisfyingly like John Coltrane circa the start of his Atlantic period, is featured prominently. The interaction of Jackson and Heath with pianist Tommy Flanagan, drummer Connie Kay, and bassist Alvin Jackson provide the main interest. The set is nicely rounded out by two tracks with guitarist Kenny Burrell, and a small, vocal ensemble that sings wordless arrangements on the cooly swinging title tack and the hard bopping "Let Me Hear the Blues," both by Jackson.

Astrud Gilberto, Milt Jackson, Dave Grusin, Herbie Mann, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Oscar Peterson and many others.
The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With it's modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music.