Jordon Dixon – On! – 69:06 [6/7/19] ****:
Want to hear a rising tenor saxophone ace? Try DC-via-Baton Rouge saxophonist Jordon Dixon. His self-issued sophomore release—the 69-minute On!—is full of Dixon’s robust, soulful tone which echoes Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine and likeminded tenor sax giants. Dixon’s ten originals are like classic jazz tunes from the 1960s Blue Note era, with a blend of soul, gospel, blues and concurring influences. On! is also a bit of a DC jazz outlet, since Dixon is joined by keyboardist Allyn Johnson (the director of the Jazz Studies program at the University of the District of Columbia); bassist Herman Burney (a DC native who now calls North Carolina home; he’s performed with Marcus Roberts, Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton and many others); drummer Carroll V. Dashiell III (he’s a Howard University alum; credits include Benny Golson, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen and more); and—on two tracks—guest trumpeter J.S. Williams (he’s split his time between DC and NYC; and has shared stages with Gregory Porter, Winard Harper and Marc Cary).
Dixon commences with the groove-oriented “Notes from the Nook,” the only track where Johnson uses both acoustic piano and overdubbed organ. The arrangement kicks along with energy and there’s complexity which underlies the piece, with solo sections from Dixon, Burney (who switches to arco for his spotlight) and Johnson. Listeners who pay attention will notice plenty of unusual changeups which, however, do not distract from the main theme. “Notes from the Nook” is also reprised as an alternate revision at the CD’s culmination. The mid-tempo and swinging “Way Too Serious” is far from solemn: it has a fun and frolicking foundation which provides a cheerful and carefree characteristic. Family is obviously important to Dixon. The album is dedicated to Dixon’s daughter, Lena. Then there’s the animated, Latin-tinged “We Kin,” where Dashiell showcases his Latin jazz rhythm skills. And third there is “Lee Lee Dee (Alternate Version),” which is an homage to Dixon’s wife, Lelan. The earlier ballad rendition is on Dixon’s 2016 debut, A Conversation Among Friends. This newer translation pops with aplomb. Over the course of nearly eight minutes, “Lee Lee Dee” radiates swing and ends with Dashiell and Dixon swapping some fiery give-and-take.
Dixon shows a penchant for penning beautiful ballads. An example is a tender and extended piece—initially also from Dixon’s debut—“What You’ve Done for Me (Alternate Version),” which includes a delicious dialogue between Dixon and Johnson, who also instigate memorable improvisations. Another notable ballad is “She Meant It When She Said It,” which has a brilliant Burney bass solo and is also highlighted by Johnson’s lovely piano and Dashiell’s cymbals and brushes. Dixon supplies lots of room for his quartet during “She Meant It When She Said It,” and bows out during the sustained middle section where piano, bass and drums partake in a protracted three-way conversation. The two cuts with trumpeter Williams offer outstanding duel-brass interchanges. The lengthiest number, the nine-minute “Flame and Friction,” has a burnished blues sentiment where Dixon evokes Sonny Rollins’ spirit. The six-minute “Fake Flowers” reaffirms Dixon’s roots with a lively Louisiana ambiance, with an arrangement which sounds as if it could have come out of a New Orleans French Quarter jazz haunt. The CD finishes as it started, with the alternate take of the soulful “Notes from the Nook,” which imparts a circular communication to Dixon’s recording.
Performing Artists:
Jordon Dixon – tenor saxophone; Allyn Johnson – piano, organ (track 1); Herman Burney – bass; Carroll V. Dashiell III – drums; J.S. Williams – trumpet (tracks 6, 9)
TrackList:
Notes from the Nook
Way Too Serious
What You’ve Done for Me (alt. version)
We Kin
On!
Flame and Friction
Lee Lee Dee (alt. version)
She Meant It When She Said It
Fake Flowers
Bonus track: Notes from the Nook (alternate take)
—Doug Simpson
