Ron Jackson Music

"Ron Jackson is my kind of guitar player. He represents his music with neatly picked runs and elegant phrasing. He projects the art of jazz guitar in the traditional manner by obvious nods to Wes and Charlie, but adopts a contemporary attitude with Metheny, Scofield and Klugh adding their influences."Jazz Journal International

"'Kuncheza Blues,'...standout solos by Cecil Bridgewater, Redman (Dewey), and guitarist Ron Jackson."JazzTimes on Randy Weston's Uhuru Africa Concert

"...he opens with 'Shadow of Your Smile' with a chord melody approach and we know we are in for a treat...he has a very mature approach and his tasteful harmonies set the stage...We hear great octave playing (thumb) and exciting double stops, long clean lines and bursts of syncopated riffs by Ron. George Benson, Wes and Barney Kessel sneak in, but we really hear Ron Jackson, a relative newcomer to the jazz guitar, who is going somewhere with a jump start."Just Jazz Guitar

"...an exciting and individual minded player...he showed equally good taste in execution as he did in selection."The Herald, Edinburgh, Scotland

"...virtuoso technique and mellow tone that Jackson coaxed from his instrument."Sunday Times Perth, Australia"

With pianist Benny Green, bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Cecil Brooks III, Jackson is in fast company -- a challenge he meets with dexterity, a fine tone and convincing expression."JazzTimes

"Ron Jackson makes a strong debut...he's no boring genuflection of the past."Jazziz

"Ron Jackson has studied the art of modern jazz guitar from Wes Montgomery to Sonny Sharrock...he approached ballads with a sensitivity that reminds me vividly of Grant Green's style."Cadence Magazine

"Jackson displays blues suffused grit and lively single not daring-do. He's a comer who bears watching."New Music Report

"Jackson proved himself to be an excellent leader on repertoire that was often demanding. He has a warm tone on guitar with an ability to play rapid fire lines."The Western Australian

Vintage Guitar ReviewRon Jackson is a New York jazz guitarist who can do it all. He plays in the traditional vein,bringing folks like Wes,Kenny Burrell,and George Benson to mind. His phrasing is always interesting without falling back on cliches from the aforementioned players.Another thing I like about this record is the compositions. While there are a few standards, Jackson wrote five of the songs here, and they all are interesting.The title cut has an extremely dramatic intro that will catch your attention immediately. And, by the time Ron has started his very fiery and imaginative solo, the chords, single-lines, and octaves are bouncing off the wall. The feel of the tune changes completely in the middle, but Jackson and the band move smoothly with it. A very impressive start.The old warhorse, "Isn't It Romantic?" gets nice treatment. The melody gets stated, and then Ron plays wonderfully with it. Check out the interplay between Jackson and drummer Joris Dudli on this one. "The Race" is exactly what the title says. I mean that in a good way. The breakneckspeed and intensity of the soloing keep you on the edge of your seat.The nice lightly swinging ballad "Waltz For Nicki" gives you the idea again of both his compositional skills and his fine chops. Most of the album has a very traditional jazz feel, but by the time we get to the last cut-a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Too High"- we get a nice glimpse at Jackson's Style.