In addition to writing songs and other music for t.v. shows, I've also had the pleasure of writing music for the stage, including two operas composed with librettist and Canada's Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke:
[pronounced "KAY-beh-SEE-tay"]
Québécité is a jazz opera based in part on my African-American father and Chinese mother. The libretto is by George Elliott Clarke (Canada's former Poet Laureate). It premiered at the Guelph International Jazz Festival and was broadcast on CBC Radio.
The opera featured vocalists Dean Bowman and Yoon Choi, with a band including myself on piano, Canadians Peggy Lee (cello), Brad Turner (trumpet), Jean Martin (drums), and John Geggie (bass). The premiere at the River Run Centre in Guelph also featured the great Indian singer Kiran Ahluwalia.
Recorded at the premiere at the River Run Centre in Guelph, Ontario featuring singer Kiran Ahluwalia, plus D.D. on piano, Peggy Lee (cello), Brad Turner (trumpet), Jean Martin (drums), and John Geggie (bass).
One of the original "proof of concept" demos from a workshop at the Guelph Jazz Festival. Featuring Dean Bowman (vocals), Peggy Lee (cello), Brad Turner (trumpet), Jean Martin (drums), John Geggie (bass), and D.D. on piano.
A version for which vocalist extraordinaire Dean Bowman wanted to record his own arrangement. Performed by Dean Bowman (vocals) and Vox Populi, with D.D. on organ.
From the original broadcast (recorded live at the River Run Centre in Guelph, Ont. in 2003), featuring the final scene of the first Act. Dean Bowman and Yoon Choi (vocals), D.D. (piano), Jean Martin (drums), John Geggie (bass), Brad Turner (trumpet), and Peggy Lee (cello). Followed by a discussion with D.D. and librettist George Elliott Clarke.
Two instrumental arrangements appear on the album Serenity Song: "Lushly" (with Christian Howes, violin; Dafnis Prieto, drums; Ugonna Okegwo, bass) and "Love Theme from Québécité" (with Dana Leong, cello; Christian Howes, violin; Dafnis Prieto, drums; Ugonna Okegwo, bass).
This opera was originally commissioned by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto and ultimately performed in a full stage production in Halifax (produced by Vocalypse Productions) in 2010. It focused on the life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the father of Canada's current Prime Minister, and particularly on his adventures as roving cultural ambassador and world wanderer — which afforded lots of opportunities for exotic musical references.
It was also my attempt at a more "operatic" vs. "jazzy" sort of style, with elements of minimalism and classical music, plus still a little jazz thrown in. The libretto was again by George Elliott Clarke.
Featuring John Lindsey-Botten as Trudeau. D.D. on piano and additional instruments.
The penultimate scene of the opera in which Trudeau reflects on his life while canoeing, including on the loss of his son in a tragic accident. Featuring John Lindsey-Botten as Trudeau and Janice Jackson as Margaret, with D.D. on all other instruments.
Fast-paced words from the librettist, with a deliberately more "jazzy" approach and a nod to Bernstein. Featuring vocalist Troy Adams (with Karen Myatt); D.D. (piano), Ron Hynes (bass), Mark Adam (drums).
One of the first pieces written for the opera. Featuring Janice Jackson as Margaret Trudeau; D.D. (piano), Ron Hynes (bass), Mark Adam (drums).
D.D. Jackson