Jason Jackson - Looking Up (2024) [Hi-Res]

The seeds of musical success were planted before American saxophonist Jason Jackson ended his decade-long military career three years ago. Now, as he releases his third recording project and first for the MBF Entertainment label on October 25, the R&B/jazz saxophonist is fervently motivated by his upward trajectory, a sentiment that permeates the nine new songs he penned with his producer, 16-time Billboard chart-topper Adam Hawley.

Jackson reached the Billboard Top 20 in 2021, two months after completing his tour of duty in the Navy. Each project he released has taken him a step up in the soul-jazz market. As Jackson’s profile continues to rise, Hawley has been a constant. ‘Looking Up’ continues their fruitful creative partnership. In addition to producing and playing multiple instruments (guitar, keyboards, and programming) on​​the album and co-writing the material, Hawley signed Jackson to his MBF Entertainment imprint. Hawley co-wrote all the tracks, played guitar, mixed and produced them as well.

“My first record, the 'Movin' On' EP, was written as I was transitioning out of the US Navy. My first full-length album, 'All In,' was conceived after I saw the success of the first record and decided that I wanted to pursue being a solo artist for real. This new record, 'Looking Up,' comes at a time when all of the pieces are finally starting to fall into place. I've signed with an amazing label (MBF) and I'm getting lots of opportunities to play with well established artists like Adam (Hawley), Rick Braun, Chieli Minucci, and Julian Vaughn. I've also had the wonderful opportunity to play shows and festivals as a solo artist such as Marcus Anderson's MAJACE and Berks Jazz Fest. To me, this record represents that all of the hard work, pushing through slim odds, self-doubt, and setbacks were all worth it and those things are, well, looking up,” said Jackson, who lives in Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.

The album opens with the funky ‘Bump’, featuring bassist Julian Vaughn and co-written by keyboardist Judah Sealy. Keyboardist Caleb Middleton joins in on the mid-tempo ‘Intentional’. Trumpet player Rick Braun joins in for the new single ‘Upside Down’, followed by ‘With the Get Down’. A funky R&B with a poppy melody makes up ‘Stay Awhile’. And Special EFX guitarist Chieli Minucci makes a guest appearance on the single ‘Daybreak’. “This track is a throwback that conjures up images of when I was a kid in the middle and high school bands and listened to every contemporary jazz CD that I could get my hands on, all the while wishing that I could play like that someday. You could say that those years were the very start of my passion for this genre and the early dawn or 'Daybreak' of my long musical journey to come,” said Jackson.

The nice title track buzzes with optimism, followed by 'Rewind', a nice R&B song. And 'Silver' makes your head bob to an old school rhythm. Vocalist L. Young closes with 'Take You Out Tonight', a tribute to the late Luther Vandross. “Luther has always been a special artist to me ever since his greatest hits CD was dropped into my candy bag one Halloween night. To this day, I don't know why that person decided that I needed some Luther in my life more than a Snickers bar, but I'm glad he did! That CD ignited my love for R&B. I've always wanted to cover a Luther song, and I think this unplugged vibe is the perfect way to end the record,” said Jackson.

A beautiful album, and definitely worth putting in the list of other smooth jazz greats.