Ron Jackson - Standards and Other Songs (2019)

After two decades onstage and eight albums as a leader, jazz guitarist, composer and arranger Ron Jackson is set to explore the next chapter in his career by releasing Standards and Other Songs (March 8 via Roni Music), a wide-ranging collection that seeks to add his inspirational talent and imaginative vision to the emerging tradition of jazz artists who look at pop music in a fresh way, and are shaping a new relevance and legacy for artists like Bill Withers, Van Morrison and Drake in the jazz canon.

Jackson’s first trio record in seven years is a bold and eclectic re-imagining of the work of Great American Songbook legends like Cole Porter (“From This Moment On”) and jazz masters like Grant Green, with his version of (“Somewhere in The Night”), to adventurous interpretations of tunes by iconic rock figures as Van Morrison (“Moon Dance”) and a remarkable jazz update of “Passionfruit,” by hip-hop superstar Drake. The album also includes Jackson’s personal adaptations of popular tunes by Bill Withers, Brian McKnight and Freddie Jackson.