Urban Tulsa Review
From the moment Eldridge Jackson witnessed a performance from the King of Gospel Saxophone, Vernard Johnson, the then four year old had already figured out his destiny. Another key inspiration in Jackson's life, a former NBA star turned contemporary jazz star, accelerated that dream. When Jackson first met Wayman Tisdale in middle school, they had several things in common. Both their fathers worked together in church ministry, and both were aspiring musicians who were later rewarded for their dedication to their craft. Their inductions into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (Tisdale in 2002, Jackson in 2005), has absolutely tightened the respect for one another; even though Tisdale has the more established career. While Tisdale was already an established bass guitarist and producer in the 'smooth jazz' field, the New Orleans born Jackson's fan base was mostly concentrated in the Texas/Oklahoma regional spotlight. Recently the saxophonist, who peppers his sound with plenty of old and new school R&B, and contemporary Gospel, has opened for some major names in the urban genre; from guitarist Stanley Jordan to funksters Con-Funk-Shun. His musical territory should soon be changing with the national release of Listening Pleasure, an independent CD first heard two years ago…
