Jamiroquai, Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, Ohio Players, Parliament, Phish, The Beatles, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, and on and on....
Watch this video for Chuchi, Magic Jackson's submission for the DiscoverOhioFilms.com contest. Support Magic Jackson and Dayton!
From its inception, Dayton, Ohio-based Magic Jackson has gained the attention of crowds and bar owners both locally and regionally with their fresh take on old school rock, funk and soul. Composed of experienced and proficient musicians, the band grabs listeners with its solid foundation of tight rhythm mixed with searing and gut-wrenching guitar solos. Each show presents an opportunity for improvised jams and calculated segues in and out of songs as Magic Jackson grinds out its unique meld of music genres.
Formed in June, 2008, Magic Jackson is quickly ascending the ranks of the Midwest’s “not to be missed” acts. But the roots of the band go back to 2001, when rhythm guitarist/lead singer Nathan Lewis and drummer Justin Moore began playing together in the popular Dayton bands, The Switch and The Maji, both of whom made the finals of The Dayton Band Playoffs in back-to-back years.
When Lewis moved to San Diego to join the well-known Southern California band, Tubby, Moore stayed in Dayton, eventually leaving The Maji to form G-nome. Meanwhile, lead guitarist Jeff May, a Vermont native who had played with Della Rocco, and bassist Mike McKewen, a University of Cincinnati grad who was a veteran of Bandwagon Session, found their way to the Dayton area where they began to hook up with Moore for impromptu jam sessions in the spring of 2008.
Upon his return to Dayton, Lewis was invited by old band mate Moore to jam with him, May, and McKewen, and Magic Jackson was formed. Amazingly, the band played its first gig within one week and has been exploding on the music scene ever since.
Canal Street Tavern owner Mick Montgomery prevailed upon the band to enter the 2008 Dayton Band Playoffs and Magic Jackson quickly became Dayton’s new media darling with an unprecedented victory after having been a band for only a handful of weeks.
Dayton Daily News music critic Don Thrasher described a Magic Jackson set as “a seething slab of sleazy white boy funk with tales of late-night hookups and bedroom come-ons over lascivious grooves.” “McKewen and Moore are a tight rhythm section, propelling the action forward and spicing the works with syncopated breaks, in-the-pocket grooves, tasty fills and dynamic breakdowns. However, the two talented guitarists certainly steal the show, switching between lead and rhythm guitar duties. Lewis and May, who occasionally share the lead vocal spot, trade frequent solos as the band launches into extended-jam mode again and again, much to the delight of fans.”
Magic Jackson has spent this summer playing clubs throughout Southwest Ohio. As well, the band has become a regional festival favorite, performing at the Ann Arbor Summer Fest on July 4th, and performing in various charity festivals including the Gem City Jam, benefiting the Glen Helen Nature Reserve, the WTUE Mud Volleyball Tournament, benefiting The Epilepsy Foundation, and the Miami Valley Music Festival, benefiting the Miami Valley Food Bank.
In July, 2009, Magic Jackson released its first studio CD, "Freak Tab". Painstaking effort was put into producing a CD that echoed the band's exciting live performance as a studio CD.
Reviews have been outstanding. Music critic Thrasher writes, "The album kicks off with live favorite “Meat Finger,” which marries a Parliament-style groove with May’s dirty lead guitar work and synthesizer from guest keyboardist Norman Dimitrouleas of The Werks and The Tony Red Band. Other cuts like “Penny Says,” “Chuchi” and “Psychobabble” definitely retain the power of Magic Jackson’s stage show with subtle differences. The songs all benefit from restrained use of overdubs and the clear separation of each instrument, which assures Lewis’ vocals always shine while also showcasing the ultra-tight rhythm section and the guitar interplay between Lewis and May."
The band is slated to begin work on an EP in the Fall of 2009.
!!! End Code To Apply Top Banner !!!
Magic Jackson is a funk monster. Their fresh, yet familiar sound lends itself to a high energy live show full of hard hitting, slap yo' momma funk and thumpin' dance grooves that'll leave you sweaty and wanting more.
just minding my own business, answering emails and whatnot when i heard the unmistakable tune of 'daddy's funk' randomly coming from my radio...glad to hear you on WYSO! what a nice surprise!
Hey guys ! Once again it was a great time playing with you all again at Allans ! I hope the next time I can get a better baby sitter seeing that twice now I've had to jet soon after playing ((( From what I got to witness , you guys got skillz ! Hope to see you guys out soon again !
Just droppin by to show some love, and also to ask a small favor ... if you have some time please vote for me in the Funk Volume "Don't Fu$k Up Our Beats" contest. Voting only takes a second and if you put in your myspace e-mail the comfirmation will be sent directly to your inbox.
man... i wish i could get out to support Dayton's thriving music scene more often... unfortunately we're playing the late night set at a festival called Wuhnurth in muncie Indiana so i can't be there. I wish you guys the best and hope you have a great show! Btw... jeff is the superstar.. not me! haha rock out gentlemen
Hmmm, that sounds like a great time.. No im not doing anything, so I will be sure to get up there. Just dont have an i.d. though so hopefully I can get through the door. I usually dont have a problem. See ya then..
we left early from the Miami Valley Music Fest due to fear of being arrested so we missed your kick ass performance. we hope to see you soon tho and YS sounds sweet -- and funny, I know Eclipse from Ned Peppers/Oregon District.
hey, you should help out the norm, go to cincygroove.com and vote for em for band of the month. They need everyones help, support the fellas, i'm sure the karma will be returned!!!!
smiles all around... dt
