13/04/2011 TimeOut

"Soulful, earthy vocal-led jazz from this impressive young singer with a powerful yet subtle voice, Jackson also has a knack of penning Stevie Wonder-esque originals that avoid the usual crooner clichés. Helping maintain these lofty standards are superb Empirical altoist Facey and cool guitarist McCredie. Jackson's one to watch out for."
TIME OUT

14/01/2011 Derek Ansell (Jazz Journal International)

The Jackson band plays music from the classic modern jazz repertoire forged mainly in the 1940's, '50s and early 1960s. This music is now in the mainstream of jazz and it is good to hear it played by young musicians who will carry on the tradition and help to develop and expand it while at the same time ensuring its survival.

They began with Stolen Moments a blues written and originally performed by Oliver Nelson in 1961. Nathaniel Facey, a strong improvising musician with a ripe, boppish alto sound, played a stinging, highly original solo here, as did his front line partner Jamie McCredie on guitar. The leader added a rarely heard vocal to his flowing piano lines and the rhythm section ensured a smooth pulse throughout.

An example of good programming from this band was their fast and furious version of Charlie Parker's Confirmation followed by a slow ballad reading of Billy Strayhorn's Daydream. Not least in the solo honours was bassist Shane Allessio's bowed solo where his intonation and inventive lines formed a highlight of this piece. Allessio plays strong backing to the horns but is also a highly gifted soloist himself, playing like a saxophonist in terms of invention, both arco and pizzicato, something rarely heard since the days of the late, great Paul Chambers.

The wide variety of music offered by the Jackson band indicates that they have a bright future. There were many highlights on this occasion with a warm ballad reading of You don't Know What Love Is played by just Jackson and saxophonist Facey high on the list. Never Let Me Go gave the leader a chance to show his gift for expressive ballad singing allied to skillful work at the keyboard. He also came up with a rarely heard vocal version of John Coltrane's classic ballad, written for his first wife, Naima.

There was good ensemble playing all through these performances with a high level of solo contributions also evident. The four bar exchanges between McCredie's guitar and Jason Reeve's drums were highly charged and added to the excitement generated.

I've heard it said that Theo Jackson is tipped to be the next Jamie Cullum. Well, maybe but I hope he keeps a level head and stays with jazz if the big time beckons because I think he is even better than Jamie.