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D.D. Jackson
Composer for Television, Film & Media
Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator
Greetings!
Now that we're past the winter "doldrums", it feels like an opportune time to update you on some of my activities, from my new collaborations with the legendary hip-hop band The Roots, to my expanded role as Jazz Chair at the Harlem School of the Arts, to the 4 Emmy Award nominations for "Peg + Cat". As always, this newsletter is to keep you abreast of these and my other creative activities, and to (of course) encourage you to keep me in mind for any of your composing, arranging, production and performing needs!
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Upcoming Appearances with The Roots at the Public Theater and on their new CD
I'm excited to be participating as a pianist/arranger/composer on The Roots new CD, "...and then you shoot your cousin", and for the associated Album Release event taking place at NY's Public Theater on May 13 and 14th (more info here).
 I also recently performed with our brand new group, Pocket Science, featuring Craig Harris on trombone, Kahil El'Zabar on percussion/vocals, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, and myself on piano, at the Jazz Foundation's Loft Jazz Party event (which also featured my students from the Harlem School of the Arts).
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(l-r: William Parker, myself, Milford Graves, Charles Gayle)
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Other recent performances include a memorable concert with legendary drummer Milford Graves at the Sons d'Hiver Festival in Paris, along with bassist William Parker, and saxophonist Charles Gayle.
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My New Position at Harlem School of the Arts + Open Call for Prep Auditions!
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Click for More Info & To Apply!
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In Education News, I was recently named the Chair of Jazz and Contemporary Music at the Harlem School of the Arts, working under our new Music Director Imani Wilson, and President/CEO Yvette Campbell. One of my responsibilities will be to help with jazz auditions for HSA Prep, the Harlem School of the Arts' full year merit scholarship program for students age 12-17 who have a strong interest in advance level training in visual arts, theater, music and dance. Jazz auditions will be taking place this Friday, May 9th, so be sure to tell anyone who might be interested to go here for more information!
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Bluiett coaching members of my HSA Advanced Jazz Combo (l-r: Bluiett, Matt Whitaker; Warner Meadows, Gabby Garo, and my assistant helping out from Juilliard, Riley Mulherkar.]
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At HSA, I've also been enjoying this current semester teaching a brand-new Composition course to several promising young students, and exposing the Advanced Jazz Combo I direct to such visiting "luminaries" as World Saxophone Quartet founder Hamiet Bluiett, who recently came by to "check in" on my students (including my 13-year old prodigy piano student Matt Whitaker).
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PEG + CAT Nominated for 4 Emmy Awards!
I was excited to learn that the PBS show "Peg + Cat" (for which I'm one of the composers) has just received 4 Emmy Nominations (a win for Production Design, plus nominations for its two lead actors, and for the show itself in its category of "Outstanding Pre-School Children's Animated Program"). Kudos also to J. Walter Hawkes, the Music Director (who composes the recurring themes and many an episode himself), and to the show's creators, Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson (and the rest of the team!)
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"The Tree Problem"
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My websites:
 | | Composing for Media |
 | | Jazz Website |
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