Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson brings out the soulful side of Bob Dylan on his 2026 covers album, Jackson Plays Dylan. One of the final members of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Jackson plays with a big warm tone and lyrical harmonic style that evokes a pure balance of both John Coltrane and Joe Henderson. While he’s never been shy about underscoring his influences, he’s been deliberate about tribute projects, releasing one Coltrane album in 2012 and unexpectedly pairing with poet/activist Nikki Giovanni for two covers albums that creatively expanded the format. Tackling Dylan feels less out of the blue, yet no less inspired, as Jackson takes on some of the iconic folk singer’s best-known songs, transforming them into something that feels as earthy…