New Music Monday — Javon Jackson & Nikki Giovanni; Grace Kelly with Strings; Godwin Louis

Tune in on Monday, September 9 at noon to New Music Monday on Lunchtime! with host Arturo Gómez! You’ll hear new music from Javon Jackson & Nikki Giovanni, Grace Kelly with Strings, and Godwin Louis.

Javon Jackson & Nikki Giovanni: “Javon and Nikki Go To The Movies”
The previous 2022 collaboration of these two stellar performers, “The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni” was an extremely praised recording that led to many concerts of the 2 reenacting the album on stage.  For the sequel, Nikki and Javon take you to the movies.  In 2017, Nikki received a ”Living Legends Lifetime Achievement Award” from Oprah Winfrey, previously she was the first to receive the “Rosa Parks Women of Courage Award.” In addition to the three tracks Nikki appears on, there are three additional vocal selections sung by the rising vocalist, Nicole Zuraitis. The remaining four tracks are instrumentals by Denver’s own Javon on his Coltrane-inspired tenor saxophone with his trio: Jeremy Manasia-piano, David Williams-bass, and McClenty Hunter-drums.  Since back in 2022 when Javon and Nikki’s initial pairing took place, they came to Denver and KUVO JAZZ, we’re hoping they return for an encore!

Grace Kelly With Strings: “At The Movies”
Another movie-themed album debuting this week is by saxophonist Grace Kelly. Grace debuted at 14 years old playing with the Boston Pops which led her to be accepted at Boston’s esteemed Berklee College of Music followed by appearances at the Kennedy Center with Dave Brubeck for the first inauguration of President Obama and then joined the house band for Stephen Colbert’s Late Show. Interestingly Kelly has a Colorado connection as she was part of the annual Telluride Jazz Camp under the direction of the recently retired trumpeter and educator, Bob Montgomery.

Two passions of Grace sparked this recording, her love of films and her favorite album, “Charlie Parker With Strings”. She has chosen thirteen tracks from her favorite movies, from James Bond to Disney and from musicals to comedies, there’s no shortage of great saxophone and strings, it might even cause you to grab some popcorn while listening!

Godwin Louis: “Psalms and Proverbs”
The late 20th-century music from New Orleans’ Congo Square that led to what we call jazz was rooted in African spirituals and gospel hymns. Jazz musicians have always drawn inspiration from the music of the church. Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage. Saxophonist Godwin lived many years in Port Au Prince, Haiti, and then Bridgeport, Connecticut. After graduating from Berklee School of Music, Louis followed his passion and curiosity for West African culture and traveled to Mali, Benin, and Senegal. As a cultural ambassador, he traveled to China to promote cross-cultural understanding. As a philanthropist, he opened a rooftop music club at El Doria Hotel in Lomé, Togo, and founded the non-profit educational arts organization Experience Ayiti in Haiti.

For this new session, Louis recruited a diverse group of highly talented musicians to join him in his journey exploring the incredible legacy of spiritual music. Included are instrumentals, vocals, covers, and originals. A most impressive outing!

Now in its 21st year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

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