Aezl Dixson - Sexy Silhouette (2020)

Judging by his musical talents on the piano, keyboard, and organ, many would be led to believe that jazz and rhythm & blues pianist, Azel J. Dixson was born sitting on a piano bench. Actually, he was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 1, 1969, but he has been sitting on a musical bench performing music as long as he can remember.

Although jazz and rhythm & blues are the genres of music that he plays professionally, gospel music is where his roots lie. Every Saturday as a young boy he could be observed uplifting the devoted congregation at Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth in North Philadelphia with the touching sounds of his organ. His remarkable talents on the organ have helped him refine his skills on the piano and keyboard.

Azel will be the first to tell you that his most heartfelt music influences have come from his home church. However, this does not elude the fact that he has been influenced by artists and musicians outside of this arena. Some of these outside musical influences include jazz greats, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Billy Preston.

When he was 15 years old, he began studying with gospel great, Garland “Miche” Waller for several years. To further his training to include other genres, he received tutelage under jazz great, Gerald Price. His tireless training as a youth has provided him with the technique needed to transition from his humble experiences with the Dobbins Mass High School and Philadelphia Mass Choirs to the hardcore Philadelphia Night Club Scene in the late 1980s where he began playing professionally.

If church is where he paid his dues, The Philadelphia Night Club scene is where he earned his stripes. It is a well-known fact that The Philadelphia Night Club scene is a hard scene to break into and succeed in, but Azel has done this persistently and successfully.

During the 1990s, he had the privilege to be a part of such bands as The Cutting Edge Orchestra, Jafar Barron Quartet, and The E.T. Band. Azel was a part of the house band at Silk City that also included King Brit’s Back to Basics event.

In early 2000, he began touring around the world as a musical director. This title has given him the opportunity to work along side some of the world’s most premiere artists, such as Kindred & The Family Soul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Ray Goodman Brown, The Stylistics, and a host of other accomplished performers.

Some of Azel’s other notable performances have been with Jeff Bradshaw’s Brass Heaven, UGO Urban Guerilla Orchestra under the leadership of Henry McMillen, Blue Funk Band, and Silk 130 Band.

His musical talents have allowed him to gain notoriety. Azel has rubbed elbows with local politicians. In July 2006, he organized the campaign party for Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate, Dwight Evans. In June 2019 Azel received a Citation of Recognition from the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Azel currently has a CD out entitled, “Jazz Organ Quartet.” Every weekend, he performs with CTO orchestras at upscale corporate weddings and events. His band, “Azel Dixson’s Quartet,” is a regular at venues, such as Warm Daddy’s and Relish Jazz Club.



Track List:
01. Off to the Side of a Half a Shell
02. Black Beauty
03. Sexy Silhouette
04. Feel Like Making Love
05. Love You Friend
06. Can't Help It
07. Blues for J
08. Bridge over Troubled Water
09. What a Blessing

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