Home Featured Content Jackiem Joyner: Sounds from a “Church Boy”

October 23, 2012

By Hasan James

Chart-topping contemporary smooth jazz artist and producer Jackiem Joyner releases his highly anticipated Gospel music debut CHURCH BOY in stores today, October 23, 2012 on the Artistry Music/Mack Avenue record label.

“My new album CHURCH BOY stems from my time as a young and eager boy who wanted to play a part in music ministry” states Joyner, who grew up in a household dominated by Gospel music. Church Boy reflects the Virginia-born saxophonist’s deep roots in ministry. Speaking of Roots, Root Magazine caught up with Jackiem as he was traveling on a promo tour to support his new album that is near and dear to his heart. Even if you are not normally a fan of instrumental music, “Church Boy” might just change your mind.

Root: Generally I don’t listen to instrumental music, however, I thoroughly enjoyed you album “Church Boy.”

Jackiem Joyner: Thank you. A lot of people who listen to gospel music typically do not listen to instrumental, so it definitely catches people off guard. I made a considerable effort to make a record that people can enjoy and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Root: I particularly love the way you re-did Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile.” The arrangement was great!

Jackiem Joyner: That track features Kirk Whalum and that was the very first time we worked together and as you know he has an album entitled, “The Gospel According to Jazz” record. I’ve been a fan of Kirk Whalum since I was a teen, so it was a dream come true to have him on that song. I’m also a huge fan of Kirk Franklin so the song turned out to be everything that I wanted it to be.

Root: You transitioned yourself from doing secular instrumental to now doing your first gospel record. What does the title “Church Boy” represent to you?

Jackiem Joyner breathes new life into Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile” on new album entitled “Church Boy” IN STORES & ONLINE TODAY!

Jackiem Joyner: As a young boy growing up in church, from the time I was 11 years old my mom had us in church. I remember being in church before I could play any instrument. Initially I just wanted to be apart of ministry and then I gained an interest in the instrument. I remember when church was over I would go and bang on the drums and the piano. However, later down the line, the saxophone became my instrument of choice. I eventually became a devotional leader at my church, so I’ve always been a church boy deep down inside although I recorded three jazz records, so it’s really great to go back to my roots and bring people back to church with my sound and make a statement that lets the world know that I am a church boy at heart.

Root: Considering you have a jazz and gospel background,  do you think there is a thin line between jazz and gospel music?

Jackiem Joyner: I think there is a dismal line and the reason I say that is because I recorded “Still I Rise” on this album and it’s very difficult to translate a Yolanda Adams song because it’s such a well performed and well produced song. Because I love the song so much,what I wanted to do was create the exact same message but with my sound as a saxophone player; not watering it down. I would say there is a thin line but it could definitely be crossed.

Root: Was doing a gospel album a long time coming for you?

Jackiem Joyner: Yes it is but I believe that every song God has given me is a gift from him and it is a pleasure to be able to share my gift with the world. However, now that I’ve done a gospel record, I believe that the interpretation is much stronger and the message is clearer because I am ultimately a minister of music.

Root: We all know that words bring forth life and that there are power in words. I often wondered if it is difficult for instrumentalists to convey your message without singing.

Jackiem Joyner: I believe an instrument can be anointed just like a voice can. If you tap into the spirit of God at the right time, you don’t have to say anything and the message will still come across. Ultimately you have to be in tune with God because when David played the harp he made demons flee!

Root: Musically, who are some of your influences?

Jackeim Joyner: Wow! Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Whalum, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Najee, Kirk Franklin, Toby Mac….

Root: Man, I love your list…very diverse!

Jackiem Joyner: Yeah man! John P. Kee is another one of my influences as well. I have an interesting story about John P. Kee too. Before I began playing the saxophone, I was actually singing in the youth choir and I was a huge fan of John P. Kee and I had every single tape he came out with (Laughter). I knew all of the songs…”Jesus Is Real”, “Never Shall Forget” and all of the other popular songs we sang in the choir. It was amazing because I loved his voice and up until that point I never had any singers or musicians that I wanted to mimic. All of that changed once I picked up the saxophone and I heard Gerald Albright’s rendition of “My, My, My” on the radio. I did not know that a saxophone could do that and that was my transition from wanting to be a singer to accepting my calling as a saxophone player.

 

For more info on Jackiem Joyner’s ministry, CLICK HERE: http://youtu.be/PtplyiHbeS8 

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