JAZZ BASSIST NOAH JACKSON CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF ‘FULL CIRCLE’ AT CLIFF BELL’S

Bassist Noah Jackson

I first met jazz bassist Noah Jackson when he played in the DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra as a teenager, and his outgoing nature and talent convinced me he'd become a prominent figure in jazz. After graduating from Michigan State University and earning a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music, Jackson rose to fame by touring with noted jazz musicians such as Abdullah Ibraham, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett. He also became a respected bandleader. On Saturday evening, Jackson and Full Circle celebrated the release of their new self-titled album. During the first 90-minute set, they played only two tracks from the album, instead focusing on standards like “Jeanine,” “Along Came Betty,” and “Embraceable You,” with Jackson surprising the audience by singing. The ensemble began with Jackson’s “Centrifuge” and concluded with “Hope Comes with Morning.” With a modern post-bop style, Jackson’s group appeals to younger listeners by reinventing standards. The show spotlighted saxophonist Stephen Grady Jr. and trumpeter Dwight Adams, whose solos were crowd favorites. Adams has crafted an immediately recognizable sound that’s both old-school and youthful. He gets to the point instead of being a note-monger. Jackson was right in introducing Adams as Detroit jazz royalty. Most of the set, Adams dwelled brilliantly in the upper register of the trumpet, and on the opener “Centrifuge", he almost blew the linen off the tables in front of the stage. There was some fine playing from the rising piano sensation, Brendon Davis, a key role player of the ensemble. Davis infused it with needed youthfulness and energy, and pro drummer Nate Winn, the one member who kept the set focused. It’s worth noting that Cliff Bell’s is no longer the noisiest jazz club in Detroit. I’m not sure if the club management has implemented a no-talking policy during the performances or if Jackson and Full Circle had the audience so completely engrossed. I’m confident it was the latter.