ONCE UPON A MELODY was recorded at Maggie’s Farm on February 4, 2008 and was produced by Matt Balitsaris and Javon Jackson. It features Eric Reed (p), Corcoran Holt (b), and Billy Drummond (d).

Javon says, “Once Upon a Melody is a project that gives me the chance of documenting select recordings that have special meaning to me. Wayne Shorter’s “One by One” takes me back to my time with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messenger’s, the period that shaped my manhood. Sonny Rollin’s “Paradox”, in tribute to a man who has meant so much to me, musically and personally. Ramsey Lewis’ “The In Crowd” is a piece of music I have always wanted to play as I heard it regularly in my home during childhood. McCoy Tyner’s “Inner Glimpse” represents my first opportunity to play with McCoy. I was working with Freddie Hubbard and Mr. Tyner came by the venue where we were performing and joined us for one song and we played this very composition. The melody “Like a Star” was suggested to me by a promoter who thought that this melody would be a good fit for me. I was not familiar with the song or the artist. Thanks to Greer Smith, I thus became aware of singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae and now listen to her music often. Lastly, “Will You Still Be Mine” and “My One and Only Love” are also melodies I have wanted to record and perform for many years.”