For Your GRAMMY® Consideration.

I would like to invite you into my world and my journey with the release of Straight From The Block, an album that I think is as much a reflection of my life as it is a showcase my style of musicianship.

You can visit my FYC Page HERE

You can preview the album on Youtube HERE

To listen to the full album you can go here… Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0g1yuN… Apple Music:   / straight-from-the-block   YouTube Music:    • Album – Straight from the Block   Amazon Music/MP3: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0HFP… Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/553459865

Straight From The Block

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

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.

My story and life are expressed through Sound and Art, from life’s failures to life’s triumphs. It is how me and God communicate, our love language.

Antonio Jackson

An Alternative Jazz Perspective

These experiences come alive throughout this album starting off with the title track “Straight From The Block”. The horns and the texture of Duyen’s vocals drive the pace of the song bringing it to an upward pace to its final conclusion. “The Life That We Live” takes us back to that 90’s jazz-house sound; reflecting on the choices we make that give us our life perspective. “Summer Paradise” captures the warmth, freedom, and joy of simply breathing in peace of a beautiful day in a world so full of noise. “Just Wanna Thank you” is a dedication to Antonio’s parents for all the wisdom, love, encouragement  and support they have given him these many years. Ste Sinclair brings a warmth and honesty that breathes life into the song and the idea of having someone who believes in you. “Elastic Dreams” takes the listener to an unlimited dream-state that has the ability to stretch the imagination in any direction it choses. “Dynasty” pays homage to the iconic sound and spirit of the legendary 1970s group with the same name with are-imagining of the highly sampled “Adventures in the Land of Music”. Antonio’s re-composition takes a more jazzy’er approach with the soprano saxophone leading the charge. Ste. Sinclair’s vocals and phrasing allow the song to live and speak to the listener by reminding us that we do have a “lineage”. “Jesus Calls” brings that Minneapolis style funk groove with a spiritual overtone reminding the listener not to wait on your calling.  “Wait What?”explores the modal aspect of contemporary jazz allowing the sax to be expressive with just a bassline and drums; while the following solo features dueling keyboard solos with one in each channel.  “Thank You” caps off the album with in introduction of the amazing Bishop Bennie E. Holland preaching at one of his services years ago. The song is funky but gospel fused to remind the listener of Antonio’s roots. Overall the album is well done and a treat for the listener who want to break away from the smooth and contemporary jazz norm.

Beneath It All Stands Faith

Antonio Jackson openly acknowledges God as his source, strength, and inspiration, giving the album a deeper purpose beyond music. Straight From The Block is ultimately a testimony to the power of family, faith, perseverance, travel, relationships, and staying connected to your roots.

A Celebration of the Journey

Straight From The Block is ultimately a celebration of the journey—from the streets and neighborhoods of North Minneapolis to stages and experiences around the world. It’s about family, faith, love, gratitude, perseverance, discovery, and the courage to keep sharing your voice.

Because no matter how far he travels, how much he grows, or how big the picture becomes, Antonio Jackson is still that kid from North Minneapolis with a saxophone, a dream, and something to say.

He’s just letting the world hear it now—Straight From The Block.

Tracklist

1. Straight From The Block (Jackson) – Feat. Duyen
2. The Life That We Live (Jackson) – Feat. Duyen
3. Summer Paradise (Jackson) – Feat. Duyen
4. Just Wanna Thank You (Jackson) – Feat. Ste Sinclair
5. Elastic Dreams (Jackson) – Feat. Duyen
6. Dynasty cJackson/Sinclair) – Feat. Ste Sinclair
7. Jesus Calls (Jackson) – Feat. Duyen
8. Wait What? (Jackson)
9. Thank You (Jackson/Holland) – Feat. Bennie E. Holland, Duyen

About Antonio Jackson

Antonio Jackson is a Minneapolis-born saxophonist whose musical identity blends contemporary jazz with the soulful traditions of Jazz, R&B, Funk, Gospel, and 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.

Through his music and the AntonioJazz vision and mission of his media company, Antonio continues to pursue a simple but powerful idea: beautiful music can help create a beautiful life…
“Beautiful Music. Beautiful Life.”

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.

GET THE AUTOGRAPHED CD HERE
DOWNLOAD THE MP3 ALBUM HERE
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Release Date: November 28, 2025
Label: antoniojazz music