Javon Jackson came into international prominence as a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. As a member of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Javon toured and made many recordings with the legendary drummer. In addition to Blakey, Jackson has toured and recorded with Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller and Stanley Turrentine.
As a recording artist, Jackson has appeared on over 125 recordings. Additionally, he has developed a formidable career as a leader, recording and touring throughout the world. Javon’s current musical group, The Javon Jackson Band, incorporates many styles including jazz, funk, R&B and rock.

Lucky 13, Javon Jackson’s thirteenth recording as leader, is a combination of five recently composed originals, one cover from the songbook of Stevie Wonder and three selections with the iconic soul jazz pianist, vocalist and composer Les McCann. Jackson and McCann have been touring together for the past five years and quoting Jackson, “Les is a living legend and it is a blessing to have him on tour with the Javon Jackson Band.” Their live experience is captured beautifully from a performance of “Compared to What” in Washington, DC at the Kennedy Center in 2008 included on Lucky 13. The trio for this recording are three young lions that as Jackson puts it emphatically, “All three have dynamic careers ahead of them.” This trio consists of Joel Holmes-piano, Corcoran Holt-bass and McClenty Hunter-drums.

Recently commissioned by the Syracuse International Film Festival, Javon composed a full length score for the Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Lodger”. An early outing by the master of suspense, “The Lodger” is a silent film based on the story of the hunt for Jack the Ripper. Javon debuted his original score at the festival and one composition from that score, “Sun Up”, is performed on Lucky 13 by Jackson and the trio.