The Reverend Nathaniel Dixon, a native of The Bronx and Senior Minister/Pastor of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church for 12 years now is a retired music teacher/ administrator of 27 years from the NYC Department of Education. Reverend Nathaniel Dixon holds three master’s degrees from Bank Street College, Columbia Teachers College and Drew Theological Seminary.
He was also founder and Director of the Saturday Music Academy and Executive Director of the SAXRACK LEARNING CENTER, Inc. from 2005 – 2016. He is also long time educator, professional jazz musician and educator.Commitment to, spiritual leadership and educational achievement for all (young and adults). Excellence in programming a positive effect on the Marble Hill community and beyond.
Reverend Nathaniel Dixon is also dedicated to providing transformative learning experiences for students of foreign languages, film/media, and the arts through Saxrack Learning Center, Inc. Our professional teaching staff provides students of all ages–youth, young adults and seniors with opportunities to study computers, Spanish, English, voice, music, and film.
In his first artistic effort in more than 20 years he has produced a new CD "Made In New York City, Nat Dixon and Friends."
Writer Dennis Day posits:
"The message and the music are set in a highly polished rhythm section complementing the fuller orchestration of violins and French horns. At the heart of this jazz-infused lamentation, one senses the pastoral imperative to convey the gospel message, embodying the ministerial vision of GOJA™ music as a potentially potent genre capable of appealing to new generations of worshippers while retaining traditional believers and those unattached to traditional church worship. Committed to making a joyful noise, Dixon inhabits his soulful praise refrains, resounding as an elder cantor, a modern musician who, like King David is a psalmist and man of God who just happens to love jazz and sees celestial purpose sprout from its original roots in the form of GOJA™ music." Rev. Dixon's ministerial focus continues to embrace three disciplines – Education, Music and Preaching. He seeks to find new ways to synthesis all three disciplines into one unique collaboration - benefiting all who take the time to engage in this unique ministry.”
REVIEWS:
Back Street Blues C.D. (SR-7777)
"This is an album of uncomplicated, unpretentious, swinging jazz!...One of the most inviting things about this recording is that it provides us with an opportunity to observe the substantive growth of Nat Dixon, not just as an improviser well informed by the profundities and simplicity of the blues, but as a composer and self-determined producer as well. This, along with each of Dixon's previous releases, all self-produced; display his refusal to accept
the reluctance and short-sightedness of the major (and not so major) record labels as indicative of his own destiny Thankfully the matter is firmly in the hands of one Nat Dixon. Likewise, a careful eye (and ear) was applied by Dixon in choosing the musicians for this date ... Nat Dixon is a diligent and optimistic man and the music he plays is uncomplicated, unpretentious and most of all it swings!!!!!"
James Browns, WBGOIJAZZ 88 FM
"Nat Dixon ... has put together an album of refreshing, straight-ahead jazz. The tenor man's playing is boppish and relaxed; but not so relaxed that he can't subtly nudge the group onto swinging even more. Album covers can be a subtle influence on us listeners. This one shows Dixon smiling at the camera. There is a happy tone to his playing too, especially on his pair of originals ... Nice job all around. Nice album."
Paul B. Matthews, Cadence Magazine
"Nat, you're a hit, baby! We are totally sold out of your CD ... Congrats on a fine recording!"
Gene Kalbacher, Major Record Retailer
Contours L.P. (SR-1010)
"Tenor sax man Dixon plays bebop jazz and plays it well ... Dixon's tone and articulation are flawless even at the fierce tempos that dominate here. I hear some Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, and Dexter Gordon in his playing, but he's not easily pigeon-holed. He's also mature enough to really create something in bopland, not just run the changes."
Bart Grooms, Sound Choice Magazine
"Dixon has come into his own with a distinctive voice on the tenor sax the standout here is Dixon's duet with Kenny Kirkland on "You Know You've Changed," a Dixon composition as if the Marsalis brothers had not proved it already, Dixon shows on this album that there's still a lot of life in the neo-classic mainstream."
Rose Coloured L.P. (SR-022)
"Nat Dixon has brought a new sound to the world of jazz music. He has taken all the knowledge he has acquired
over the years and blended it together to achieve a unique and powerful sound."
Right On! Magazine
"Consistently intelligent and tasteful. Fans of mainstream jazz should find it rewarding."
Hugh Wyatt, Daily News
Upfront, L.P. (SR-001)
"When I think of "jazz" I usually think of this style---cool, refined (but not slick) and swinging. Dixon plays tenor
sax with a very sweet and generously warm tone. He also composed five of the six selections here, and they have
the sound and feel of genuine standards which I'm sure they'll one day become. All of the players lend great
support and take fine solos throughout this disc. This is what I call "jazz!"
Tom Furgas, Sound Choice Magazine
RECORDING ARTIST:
Made in New York City, Nat Dixon and Friends
Harlem All – Star – (SR 1027)
Back street Blues – (SR 7777)
Rose Coloured (SR 022)
Upfront (SR001
Sam Rivers “Winds of Manhattan” – Black Saint Records
PROFESSIONAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE:
I performed with 1980' – 1990’s
Sam Wooding/Rae Harrison Orchestra R.C. A Recording Artist: The Tymes
R.C. A Recording Artist: The Jones Paul Jeffries Octet:
Machito Latin Orchestra Mighty Sparrow and the Caribbean Express
Owen Dodson "Confession St. One" Larry Elgar Orchestra
Chico Hamilton Sam Rivers - The Winds of Manhattan
Frank Foster - Loud Minority, Big Band Nat Dixon Quartet
JAZZ CLUBS:
Birdland Carlos 1 Honey Suckle
Tamara’s Flamingo Lounge Mondo Person
Mikel’s La Famile Visiones
Willies Lounge Love Paradise Under the Stairs
The Cotton Club Storyville The Baby Grand, Harlem NY
The Top Hat Showman's The New Smalls Paradise
West End Lounge Manna's House
