D.D. Jackson

I am a two-time Emmy Award-winning composer, producer, and Juno Award-winning jazz pianist and educator. As a composer, I specialize in writing, arranging, and producing memorable, custom-made music for t.v., film & other media. I consider myself an "artistic problem solver": I strive to get to the essential conceptual truth of what the client is looking for - and to express it in a creative and supportive way. [READ MORE] or [BIO]

"David Murray Week", Columbus, Ohio

February 20, 1997  /  D.D. Jackson

Just got back from "David Murray Week" in Columbus, Ohio (as proclaimed by the Columbus City Council) - did a whole week of gigs with David in various formats, including a collaboration with the ProMusica Chamber Ensemble of Columbus, a duo concert with David, a performance as a member of David's quartet, and numerous "sittings-ins" thruout the city. Also had time to "hang" with David in concentrated fashion, and to discuss alot of things, including the state of jazz today. One of the things that appeared while we were there was a very pointed New York Times Magazine interview with Keith Jarrett, in which Jarrett directed some very critical remarks at Wynton Marsalis (see excerpt). The article really brought out into the open alot of things that were on David's mind, I think, and also made me think about my whole approach to the whole debate of neo-classicism vs. more cutting edge approaches to jazz. 

I think David sees me, in fact, as a potential spokesperson for his perspective on things (see his comments on me recently in the Village Voice); certainly there has been a great change in the New York scene since the years of when David first arrived here on the scene - he quite legitimately laments how what used to be considered an asset, namely having one's own voice, one's own approach - nows seems to be almost a liability, as the focus seems to be increasingly on not rocking the boat, on adhering to some carbon-copy form of what jazz supposedly should be. And though my feelings on the matter are very similar to David's in many regards, I suppose I'm beginning to realize that I'm really trying to forge my own approach to the matter, ie.it's very hard for me to maintain a warlike, negative mentality (especially after having dealt with much of the same close-minded, classical attitudes while a classical piano major at Indiana University); I guess at this stage of my life I'd rather demonstrate my attitudes through the choices I make as a musician. I'll certainly answer criticisms if provoked, and speak out if necessary (both of which I've already started to do), but overridingly my goal will be to be as positive in outlook and approach as possible....