Music that`s soulful and high energy

From left to right:
Jesse Thompson - Keyboard
Chris Wright - Drums
Anthony Mackey - Bass
Mark Jackson - Guitar
Music that’s soulful and high energy
I
n 2000, Columbus, Ohio based guitarist Mark Jackson and Keyboardist Jesse
Thompson were asked to play at the wedding of a local news anchor’s son - a
gathering that gave rise to one of the city’s most popular and eclectic jazz fusion
bands. When the person printing the wedding program needed a band name,
Jackson came up with the clever moniker NexLevel—so that, as Jackson recalls,
“When people say it, it sounds good, tells everyone who we are and catapults us
where we want to go”.
The group quickly established itself as a popular gigging ensemble and began
playing many local festivals and performing with top R&B and urban jazz artist
who came through town, in addition to touring with performers like soul singer
Conya Doss. They also released their smooth jazz oriented debut album Level One in
2004. When the band’s saxophonist Randolph left shortly thereafter, the remaining
ensemble (including bassist Anthony Mackey) chose a completely different route,
exploring an eclectic soul jazz fusion route that kept their powerful grooves and
melodies strong while increasing the sonic textures, improvisations, rock guitar and
funky bass elements—very much influenced by the groundbreaking 70’s work of
George Duke and bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, but with a contemporary urban
twist like the jazz/funk trio Soulive.
NexLevel’s new full-length album Midnight Blue—which features recently departed
longtime drummer Chris Wright--is the culmination of the vibe NexLevel has been
developing these past few years. “We like to think of this group as an amalgamation
of different styles that we love”, says Jackson, who like the others has a foundational
background playing music in church. “For a while after Richard left, I tried to
approximate his sax with my guitar so that the urban jazz audiences would continue
to embrace us and we could get the same gigs, but eventually we embraced change
and developed a unique sound outside the box that was distinctive from the way we
started. We’re having a lot of fun now, making music that’s soulful and high energy,
but very mixed from track to track. Each tune puts the listener in a very different
environment, but the power of emotion ties them all together.”
www.nexleveljazzonline.com
Music that’s soulful and high energy
On Stage
In addition to many of their own headline performances at festivals and concert
series, NexLevel has performed and shared the stage with Boyz II Men, Fourplay,
Spyro Gyra, Mindi Abair, Jeff Golub, Warren Hill, Wayman Tisdale, Tim Bowman,
Alex Bugnon, Walter Beasley and Maysa. The band has also performed as the house
band for Conya Doss, Dwele, Goapele, Choklate, Abby Dobson, Gordon Chambers,
Yahzarah, Angela Johnson, Rahsaan Patterson and Avery Sunshine. They have
also performed for specific banquettes and events for Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi
Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha-Columbus Chapter, Wendy’s International Corporate
meetings, Nationwide Insurance & Tavis Smiley Event, Trinity Productions “A Night to
Remember,” the “M” Miranova Restaurant, Lindey’s Restaurant, Capital Country Club,
“All-Star for Kids,” The Venue, Vonn Jazz Supper Club; Radio Appearances on Power
107.5 FM, Smooth Jazz WJZA, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and Joy 106.3FM.
Notable Live Performances
• Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival – Columbus, OH
• Gahanna Creekside Blues Festival – Gahanna, OH
• Easton Smooth Jazz Summer Concert Series – Columbus, OH
• Community Summer Festival – Columbus, OH
• King Arts Summer Music Series - Mayme Moore Park, Columbus, OH
• Lincoln Theater – Columbus, OH
• Wendy’s Smooth Jazz Concert Series – Dublin, OH (opened for Spyro Gyra,
Ken Navarro, Fourplay)
• Columbus Urban League series – Columbus, OH (opened for Mindi Abair,
Jeff Golub, Wayman Tisdale, Warren Hill, Boyz II Men)
www.nexleveljazzonline.com
Music that’s soulful and high energy
Music
Midnight Blue gets off to a dynamic start with “As Is”, which begins with trippy,
urban industrial percussion and spacey synth before Jackson’s crisp and hypnotic
electric guitar melody kicks in. Later the organic funk vibe gives way to a blistering
guitar solo and a rock funk fusion jam. Dialing the fire down into a sensual urban
flow, the title track “Midnight Blue” rolls like a lightly bubbling, guitar driven old
school soul ballad with dreamy ambiences. Artfully blending the R&B and rock
flavors, the power ballad “Stay Longer” showcases Thompson’s lush and jazzy piano
and keyboard magic then gives way to a sizzling Jackson guitar solo. The languid,
laid back electric guitar driven ballad “Thursday” –which also features the sparkling
Thompson’s sparkling keys—was created impromptu at a gig for an opening of a
beauty salon! True to their sense of adventure, NexLevel offers a taste of surreal
fusion on the “Bass Interlude Bassix”, a fun spacey exercise featuring speedy synth
runs and bassist Anthony Mackey’s thick, crunchy bass bottom. On the lighter side,
the perfectly titled “Acoustically Speaking” features a flowing, easy funk melody
line (created with nylon string and steel string guitars). After the darker toned
reflection on the concept of “Traveling Home” (which complements low-key chords
with lush acoustic guitar), the set closes with the funked out, spacey and densely
percussive driving song “Velocity II” written by Anthony Mackey and the tripped
out dreaminess of the brief “Outlude”.
www.nexleveljazzonline.com
Music that’s soulful and high energy
Reviews
“When Randolph left NexLevel, the remaining members faced a unique choice: they
could replace him or simulate his sound and continue to play the in the pocket urban
jazz that had established them in the Columbus region and keep the same gigs and
audience – or they could get more creative, think and jam outside the box with the
edgy and explosive (but still grooving and melodic) type of jazz fusion they all loved.
Choosing the latter was risky, but for adventurous listeners—perhaps who grew up
loving fusion greats like Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra or George Duke
in his early days—there’s a huge payoff on the journey of Midnight Blue. Joyfully
schizophrenic, exciting and unexpected, this album is NexLevel’s statement that
music can be high octane and explosive as well as sexy and sensual – all on the
same recording. Jackson’s electric and acoustic work is triumphant and Thompson
mixes guts and glory with his multitude of approaches to the keys. This project is
truly original and magical music that pays honor to the name ‘contemporary jazz’!”
– Jonathan Widran
Bookings:
Mark Jackson
(614) 477-4366 or
[email protected]
http://youtu.be/O4DTkVhEh4M
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“NexLevel’s recent outing; Midnight Blue includes nine originals from the group of
four talented musicians out of Columbus, Ohio. NexLevel consists of guitarist Mark
Jackson, keyboardist Jesse Thompson, bassist Anthony Mackey and drummer Chris
Wright. The musicians’ familiarity with each other’s playing is obvious throughout
Midnight Blue, for they often seem to think as one. NexLevel’s music is filled with
joyful melody statements, spirited and bluish guitar and keyboard solos and tight
and grooving rhythms. The group has a knack for coming up with catchy themes that
while seem simple, are certainly memorable. During most of their performances, the
melodies return at various times, sometimes being used as backgrounds and at other
times launching the next solo. Of the tunes, “As Is” (which has a blazing guitar solo),
“Midnight Blue” (reminiscent of the Crusaders in the 1970s) and the melodic ballad
“Stay Longer” (which one could definitely imagine with vocals) are among the most
unforgettable selections. Also noteworthy are guitarist Mark Jackson’s use of Wes
Montgomery-type octaves during the theme of “Thursday” and the strong solos on
“Traveling Home”. Jackson, who sometimes recalls vintage Larry Carlton, is often the
lead voice while Jesse Thompson also contributes worthy solos on both acoustic and
electric piano. The music of NexLevel is filled with subtle creativity and danceable
rhythms. Midnight Blue is consistently enjoyable and easily recommended.”
– Scott Yanow, author of The Great Jazz Guitarists
www.nexleveljazzonline.com