The Pulse of Entertainment:
Grammy Nominated Paul Jackson, Jr. Joins Harp and Lorber on ‘Life & Times'
Lead guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., known for playing on stage with such icons as
Michael Jackson, Dru Hill, Whitney Houston and Patti LaBelle, joins the trio Jazz Funk Soul on their January 25, 2019 album
release "Life and Times" (Shanachie Entertainment). The group consists of Grammy Award nominated Everette Harp on
saxophone and Grammy winning Jeff Lorber on keyboard. Grammy nominated Paul Jackson, Jr. fills in for the group's late founder
Grammy nominated guitarist Chuck Loeb.
"Technically yes, this
is the first time I've been in a group," Jackson, Jr. said. "But I have worked with Everette with George Duke on
the road and Jeff Lorber I've worked for 30 years on his projects."
Paul,
who also plays on stage as part of the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "American Idol" orchestras, recording
credits include Michael Jackson's "Thriller", "Bad," and "Dangerous," The Jackson's "Destiny"
and "Triumph" and Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All." He has released eight solo albums and received
his Grammy Award nomination for his debut album "I Came to Play."
"The guys decided to continue the group and I was pleased," Paul said earnestly.
During the recording of "Life and Times," with Harp and Lorber, Jackson, Jr. said abut
the experience, "I (normally) do one guitar part...Everette likes to do three parts and choose from them. That was different
for me. Before, we'd write songs and bring them to the table, this time we did a lot of co-writing."
Paul said there was one song he had brought to the table, which they used but it was
changed during the process. Jazz Funk Soul formed in 2014 and released a self-titled album that year. That project was followed
by "More Serious Business" in 2016. Chuck passed away in 2017 and on January 25th Jackson, Jr., Harp and Lorber
continues the Jazz Funk Soul trio with the release of "Life and Times."
Jackson, Jr. teaches at his Alma Mata, the University of Southern California, where Grammy Award nominated Patrice
Rushen ("Forget Me Nots") designed the program. When he was a young musician a mentor told him he needed to start
playing guitar like Paul Jackson, Jr.
"So I'd write songs and
play songs...as God directed and as you play and soul-seek you end up a conglomeration of what you heard. It all comes together
over the years and you will start to come out."
That is certainly
what Paul did, come out, because his guitar playing has a signature sound that I can identify no matter what project he is
on.
Advice this living legend gives to other artists and musicians is "always improve." www.PaulJacksonJr.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN:
Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She
is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director
(at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday
April 20, 2019), in partnership with Baltimore City Department of Social Services' Foster Care "Ready By 21" Program and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal,
songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category. www.UpliftingMinds2.com.
