Take Five with Ron Jackson

Meet Ron Jackson:

World-renowned, Seven String Jazz Guitarist, composer, and arranger, Ron Jackson has performed, recorded, and taught music in over 30 countries. Jackson is likely the only African American seven-string jazz guitarist alive. His goal is to bring awareness to the instrument through education, music, and events.

As a musician, Jackson has been featured as a leader in jazz festivals all over the world, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and Winter Jazzfest. His influences include George Benson, Pat Metheny, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix. He has studied under the tutelage of Pat Martino, Barry Harris, Melvin Sparks, Mike Stern, and the seven-string master, the late Bucky Pizzarelli.

As a recording artist, Jackson has had a successful recording career, releasing eight albums. Beginning with the chart-topping Guitar Thing (1991), Flubby Dubby (2008) which was recorded live with his Hammond Organ trio, and his most recent release, the JazzWeek Top 100 album, Standards And Other Songs (2019). His first recording on the seven-string incorporates traditional standards with jazz reimaginings of radio-friendly pop songs, like Drake's Passion Fruit. As an educator, Jackson provides education and awareness of the seven-string guitar. He also teaches six-string guitar classes to elementary students in NYC Schools.

These days you can find Ron Jackson performing for audiences with his band, teaching virtually and in-person as well as creating engaging content for his robust social media following. Ron will be on his "Whatever's Open" Tour which immediately follows the release of his brand new album, Standards and My Songs (February 2022).

Instruments:

6, 7, 8 and 12 string guitars, electric bass, banjo, Ukulele.

Teachers and/or influences?

I've studied with Pat Martino, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ted Dunbar, Rodney Jones, James Blood Ulmer, Melvin Sparks and Mike Stern. My main influences are Charlie Christian, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Grant Green, Mike Stern, and Kenny Burrell, among many others. I love the new generation of jazz guitarists coming up as well.

Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans and so many others in other styles of music also influence me as well.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I was about nine years old. Strangely enough, I heard electric guitar on Elvis Presley recordings. I thought the guitar sounded cool. Ever since then I have wanted to be a musician. I am self-taught and learned from best friends growing up. I got into rock music, playing with a local band in the Boston area. At the same time, I started composing music and getting into jazz introduced by my friends in high school. At the time, I saw a lot of rock concerts and jazz concerts like Miles Davis and Pat Metheny. I always thought that music would be a tough field to be in, but I loved it so much that I stuck with it and persevered. I didn't want to do anything else. A lot of people I knew from Berklee never pursued music after. You need to be really dedicated, versatile and resourceful.

Your sound and approach to music:

I feel that I'm always developing my sound. It's a lifelong process and I am always trying to find ways of sounding better. When I first came to New York I used to be influenced by my peers about the way I should sound. I was always worried, (insecure) about what other musicians thought. I realized after a while, that I just need to be myself and that you can never really sound like anyone else unless you really try to, as well as being secure about yourself and believing in yourself. It's hard sometimes. Currently my main jazz 7 string guitar is an Eastman AR810CE7 with Labella Jazz Tapes Strings, .014 on 1st string along with the new Fender Tone Master Twin reverb(favorite amp ever). My Eastman 7 string guitar will soon be replaced by the Benedetto 16-B seven string. This will be my first truly hand-carved guitar! My main 6 string axe is the D'Angelico Excel-1, a beautiful guitar set up again with Labella Jazz Tapes Strings, .014 on 1st string. I think that sound and rhythm are everything. I believe in having a big, warm, beautiful tone and that you can hear every note clearly and that you always must "swing" in any style of music. Also having a great time, a great feel and good intonation. My approach is hard bop based, but I am recently really into reharmonizing. I believe that you really need to know your roots in any style of music so you have the basis, or the heart of the music ingrained in your soul.

Your teaching approach:

Basics, history, rhythm, good sound and technique. I believe that to know any style of music, you must listen and experience it. You've got to practice a lot and dedicate yourself to your instrument. I love practicing and I believe that anyone who wants to master an instrument must have an affinity with it. I always tell my students that you cannot fake playing an instrument unless you are really a genius. Even if you have a lot of talent, someone else with less talent who works harder and is determined can surpass your talent. I believe that you need to play as much as possible, in any situation and get experience. To me, jazz requires just as much the playing aspect as well as the practice aspect. Also, you need to go see great musicians perform live. I think that you should know how to sight-read, especially guitarists, because that's our forte. Most importantly, be yourself and have fun.

Your dream band:

Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, George Benson, Dennis Chambers, Lewis Nash, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland and so many others.

Road story:

Your best or worst experience: I have many road horror stories. Here's a couple. I was playing in Morocco with T.K. Blue years ago. After our tour was over, we were on our way to the airport to go home, which was Paris at the time. When I got to the airport, I realized that I had left my amp at the hotel.

I was once playing on a gig and the drummer was so drunk that he couldn't play and he was falling asleep during the concert.

My best experience was being in an AMEX Commercial playing with Bernard Purdie on drums and the late great Earl May on bass. We were treated so well, (like movie stars) that I wanted to be an actor ever since.

Favorite venue:

It's hard to say. From what I remember I like Birdland and Dizzy's for sound. NJPAC Victoria Theater has a great sound crew and treats artists like human beings. I have played everywhere overseas. Recently I played in the Istanbul Jazz Festival, the sound and scenery were wonderful.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

I really don't have any favorite recordings. I'm inspired and influenced by so many, like Wes Montgomery's Incredible Jazz Guitar. I love that record so much because it is a timeless representation of jazz guitar at its highest level.

The first Jazz album I bought was:

George Benson, Breezin'.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

That I am keeping the jazz guitar tradition alive. There are less and less guitarists really dedicated to this art form. Also, there are very few people of color coming up playing jazz guitar. And, an important trivia fact, I am currently the only Black (POC) seven string jazz guitarist in the world!

Did you know...

I was a rock guitarist growing up, that I consider myself a composer first and that I double on electric bass. Also, I am half Filipino.

Music you are listening to now:

I've been listening recently to a lot of pop, rock and R&B music!

Lionel Richie, Coming Home (Def Jam)
Bill Withers, Greatest Hits (Columbia)
The Isley Brothers, Greatest Hits Vol.1 (Epic)

Desert Island picks:

John Coltrane, Blue Train (Blue Note)
Miles Davis, Someday My Prince Will Come (Columbia)
Wes Montgomery, Incredible Jazz Guitar (Riverside)
Bill Withers, Greatest Hits (Columbia)
The Isley Brothers, Greatest Hits Vol.1 (Epic)

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

I think the Internet has changed the whole playing field with jazz and music in general. I think it's a volatile time as well as a great time of opportunity for the independent jazz artist. Cyberspace can reach the whole planet. I think that jazz has unfortunately become less popular, especially in the USA. There are less and less venues to play in, and less of an audience as well.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Educational programs like Jazz for Teens and Jazz House Kids, exposure through radio and concerts, and advertising particularly on Internet searches. And most importantly, supporting live performances of jazz locally and by purchasing your favorite artist's album.

What is in the near future?

I'm releasing my ninth album as leader, Standards and My Songs on February 25th, 2022 the same day as my album release show at The Django in New York City. "Whatever's Open" Tour will follow starting on March 5th in the Midwest and head out to the West Coast. I'll also keep practicing, composing, recording and releasing solo albums frequently... and performing as much as possible.

By Day:

My day job is practicing, composing, promoting and running the Ron Jackson empire.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Rock musician or a plumber.

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