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LISTEN: 'The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni' brings together a Connecticut jazz musician and an iconic American poet

“The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni” — an album featuring Connecticut saxophonist Javon Jackson — was recently released to correspond with Black History Month.

The album features Jackson playing jazz renditions of gospel hymns and spirituals hand-picked by Giovanni. The 78-year-old poet makes a rare vocal performance.

“Gospel spirituals, as I like to categorize them, speak to the story of America,” said Jackson.

Javon Jackson is a former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford. Nikki Giovanni is a renowned poet, activist and educator. She’s a Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the first person to receive the Rosa Parks Women of Courage Award.

Connecticut Public Radio’s Diane Orson produced this audio essay.

Listen: 'The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni' brings together a Connecticut jazz musician and an iconic American poet

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Here and Now; and The World from PRX. She spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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