J.V. Dixon

J.V. began his professional career as a trumpet player at age 16 in his home town of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1960 he toured with Buddy Clarke and His Orchestra on the "Chitlin Circuit" as part of "The Charles Taylor Show", an elaborate production complete with dancers, singers and comedians. The show toured for five months in Canada and then continued in the United States.

J.V. settled New York City in 1963. He performed at the Apollo in Harlem with the original Platters, Benny King, Mary Wells, Clyde McFadden, Etta James, Wilbur Harrison, The Toys and many more. He also played the Brooklyn Apollo on Flatbush Avenue in the year before it was torn down. J.V. teamed up with Louis Armstrong's godchild, Tyree Glenn Jr (tenor sax, flute, vibes) and performed with Jackie Wilson, The Toys and others. In 1967, he and Tyree Jr. went to Portugal for two years and also performed in Spain. They recorded three albums on the Decca label with two different international bands and appeared on a number of European radio and television shows.

After returning to New York in 1969, J.V. worked with Sam and Dave (I'm a Soul Man). He played extensively with the "Sights and Sounds Revue", a group that performed many New York venues including Carnegie Hall on two occasions. The show included performers Grace Jones (actress), Paula Hampton (drums), Harold Orsley (sax), Howard Johnson (brass), Richard Williams (trumpet) and Rollin Prince (guitar).

J.V. returned to Canada in 1976, touring extensively. Since then he has been a regular on the Toronto music scene, having performed at the Downtown Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival and New Year's Eve at Nathan Phillip's Square.