Pre-Order Your Autographed CD of "STRAIGHT FROM THE BLOCK".
Pre-Order Your Autographed CD of "STRAIGHT FROM THE BLOCK".
For Your GRAMMY® Consideration
1. Best Alternative Jazz Album | 2. Best R&B Performance/Song | 3. Best Gospel Performance/Song
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Best Alternative Jazz Album
'Straight From The Block'
Album By Antonio Jackson
Best R&B Performance/Song
'I Just Wanna Thank You'
Featuring Ste Sinclair
Best Gospel Performance/Song
'Thank You'
Featuring Bennie E. Holland & Duyen
For Your GRAMMY® Consideration
3. Best Album Artwork | 4. Best Album Notes
Best Album Artwork
For Your Consideration
Best Album Notes
For Your Consideration
'Straight From The Block'
"From the North Side of Minneapolis to the World"
Straight From The Block is my heartfelt musical journey from the North Side of Minneapolis to the world. Growing up in an urban yet supportive community, I developed a deep appreciation for family, faith, perseverance, and the power of music. I pay tribute to my parents on “Just Wanna Thank You” while also celebrating the people and experiences that shaped my life. Living in different states and traveling around the world gave me the opportunity to see the “The Life That We Live” and connect with incredible people I have met along this journey.
From the soulful “Dynasty,” a tribute to the legendary 1970s group, and the reflective “The Life That We Live” to the carefree “Summer Paradise,” This album Straight From The Block tells a story of growth, gratitude, and discovery. With a strong opener, “Straight From The Block” reflects the album’s theme and the pace. The gritty funk of “When Jesus Calls”, the adventurous jazz of “Wait What?” (Duel Keyboard solos) and the smooth and soulful “Elastic Dreams” showcase an immersive sound where Jazz, Soul, Funk, Gospel, R&B, and Neo-Soul come together in one flavorful musical gumbo. The song “Thank You” is my gratitude that God is my source and inspiration. No matter how far life takes me, this album speaks to the fact that I’m still that kid from North Minneapolis — Straight From The Block.
The Extraordinary Voices on the Album
Meet the Artists who brought this Album to Life.
Bennie E. Holland
Vocalist, Preacher, Musician
Ste Sinclair
Vocalist, Vocal Arranger & Coach
Duyen
Vocalist
Bennie E. Holland
(Dr./Bishop/Prophet) is a amazing and anointed preacher, teacher, scholar, vocalist and organist whose life changed after a car accident in which he was hit by a drunk driver. “Thank You” includes clips of his amazing preaching, his music and a reflection of his transformation.
Ste Sinclair
is an artist with Jamaican roots that hails from North London, UK. He and Antonio met while on the Alexander O’Neal Farewell Tour. A voice that brings his mastery of vocal arranging and singing to “Dynasty” and “Just Wanna Thank You.” Words can not express how amazing he is.
Duyen
brings the Oooo’s and Ahhh’s in all the right places. After spending the past two years fighting breast cancer, she steps back into the vocal booth with her amazing voice. Duyen’s pure honesty and faith add a true depth and melodious healing to the album’s overall sound.
Antonio Jackson is a Minneapolis born saxophonist whose musical identity blends contemporary jazz with the soulful traditions of Jazz, R&B, Funk, Gospel, and Neo-Soul. Influenced by the greats while committed to developing a sound uniquely his own, Antonio approaches music as both an artistic expression and a way of connecting people.
Throughout his career, Antonio has shared stages with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee, Average White Band, Pieces of a Dream, and other acclaimed artists. He also recently toured the United Kingdom with R&B legend Alexander O’Neal.
As a bandleader and recording artist, Antonio has developed a signature sound he calls AntonioJazz—a soulful blend of contemporary & traditional jazz, smooth, gospel, R&B, soul and classical.
Straight From The Block represents another chapter in that journey—one rooted in where he came from, inspired by where life has taken him, and dedicated to wherever the music leads next.
"I make music that DOES NOT fit the mold for a Saxophonist. I play the same way; all for one single purpose... To Create Beautiful music and a Beautiful life."
"Talk about smooth and soulful...this right here is it!!! My boy Antonio nas done it again and I gotta put him up there with George Howard, Kirk Whalum, and Walter Beasley!!!"
~ Listener (@winfredfallen4305)
'I Just Wanna Thank U' - (Feat. Ste Sinclair)
'Thank You' - (Feat. Bennie E. Holland)
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