My friend Adrian Crutchfield calls me up and says five words: “You wanna play for Prince?”

BK Jackson and Carolina-native Adrian go way back. In that history, they also share an experience touring with musical icon Prince that showcases the music community at its best. BK describes it at his past performance here at Middle C Jazz.

“I got out there, and Prince blew my mind on every level. He taught us how to be professionals, how to dress, how to conduct ourselves, how to be artists. He developed us like they used to back in the day, recognizing talent and then cultivating it. … He demonstrated how to respect the audience, and give back in public and private.”

Today, Bernard “BK” Jackson is an internationally performing saxophonist, electrifying audiences across the globe with his unique playing style, energetic stage presence and unparalleled passion for music that touches the soul. He has crossed musical paths with industry giants such as B.B. King, Bruno Mars, Brian McKnight, Hunter Hayes, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Zac Brown Band, and more.

Currently, BK can be found rocking stages around the world with Trombone Shorty’s touring band, bringing audiences a classic infusion of the New Orleans brass band sound, mixed with sonic rock, jazz, and hip-hop influences. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows, the group has also opened for powerhouse acts such as The Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Lenny Kravitz, and Hall and Oates.

As a child, BK first picked up the saxophone at the age of eleven and quickly began making a name for himself as a young performer to watch. BK was the youngest person ever to win the Annual Capital Jazz Festival Challenge in Columbia, Maryland. BK released his debut album in 2008, titled “On the Move”. Just seventeen years old at the time, he co-wrote most of the original tracks featured on the album. His single “Believe That” was spotlighted in the September 2008 Jazziz Magazine CD sampler with staff writers noting that he “sounds like a seasoned contemporary jazz veteran, rather than a high school student.” BK hit the top of the charts with several singles from his 2019 sophomore album “Life of the Party”.

BK Jackson joins us at Middle C Jazz Saturday, August 16th.

Preview of BK Jackson.