Jazzy gospel to grace gazebo stage on June 21

Reginald Jackson & Friends will share their brand of gospel and jazz music at the Madison Gazebo Concert on June 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Reginald Jackson & Friends will perform at the Madison Gazebo Concert on June 21.

Jackson will perform on saxophone and at the piano. Various musicians from the community will join him in ensembles.

A soulful saxophonist and talented pianist, Jackson also plays clarinet, organ, and flute. His moving sound blends components of contemporary jazz, blues and gospel melodies. During his childhood in Decatur, church choirs offered venues for his foundation in musical performance.

Jackson has studied at Alabama A & M University, University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree, Northwestern University for his master’s degree and Florida State for a doctorate’s degree in music education. Currently, he serves as minister of music at St. Stephens Baptist Church, The Pentecostal House of Prayer and El Shaddi Ministries in Decatur.

Recently, he joined the faculty of the University of North Alabama as clarinet instructor and Alabama A&M for clarinet and saxophone studies. Jackson has released five instrumental CDs: “Walking In My Destiny,” “If God Be For Us,” “The Spirit of Christmas,” “I’m Still Here” and “Expressions.”

In Turkey for several years, Jackson has served as guest clinician for the Gospel Music Workshop of Incirlik. During his nine-day trip in 2011, he instructed a 75-voice concert choir on the various styles and components of gospel music. In the choir, 20 college students participated from the Ankara Baptist Church International Ministry that represented numerous countries in Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

He has authored an instruction book for learning to play piano or keyboard with traditional and contemporary gospel chord patterns. Jackson has conducted music workshops at numerous sites, including Decatur, Huntsville, Selma, Miami, Fla. and Incirlik, Turkey.

Madison Arts Council (MAC) sponsors the gazebo concerts on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through summer. The free family event includes face painting and balloons for the children. MAC volunteers serve free lemonade and cookies.

For more information, visit artsmadison.org.