Lectures, podcast interviews, and my own two podcast series — covering jazz, the creative process, composing for media, and more:
Peter Thurton Lecture: Oscar Peterson & Keith Jarrett
December 8, 2024 · Toronto
Peter Thurton has a compelling series that takes place throughout the year in his home for specially invited guests and guest artist speakers. I was fortunate to have been included when I was in town doing my Poetry Project CD launch party at the Redwood Theatre in Toronto that weekend. In this talk, I discuss my "pre-Don Pullen" influences of Keith Jarrett and Oscar Peterson at great length (and also go off on other related tangents).
D.D. Jackson — Peter Thurton Lecture
On Oscar Peterson and Keith Jarrett · Dec. 8, 2024
Embrace Everything: The World of Gustav Mahler
Bonus Episode: Seven Themes (S4 B1)
July 12, 2025
Mahler said there are seven themes in the first movement of his Fourth Symphony. Pianist and composer D.D. Jackson identifies and contextualizes each of them for us.
A conversation-based podcast by, for, and about composers, their lives, and the creative process. In each episode, I explore what it means to be a composer and talk to notable artists both in and related to the field, including fellow composers (with a particular emphasis on those writing for film, t.v., and other media), arrangers, orchestrators, producers, and film directors.
Episode 1: Introduction [Aug. 21, 2016]
Why a new podcast by, for, and about composers and related artists
Episode 2: Allison Leyton-Brown [Aug. 26, 2016]
New York-based, Canadian-born composer, lyricist, performer & music director
Subjects include: the benefits and challenges of "cold calling" as a form of networking, the potential merit of pursuing diverse musical pathways vs. trying to be more specialized, and our experiences writing for the PBS Kids show "Peg + Cat".
Living Jazz Podcast
From July 2005 through October 2007, I produced a series of 22 podcasts, originally designed as complementary content for my Artistshare site and as a natural extension of my Living Jazz DownBeat magazine columns. They featured interviews, thoughts on what was happening at the time, and more. See also: Living Jazz columns.
#1 — Jul. 12, 2005
The inaugural podcast — introduction, background as jazz pianist/composer and DownBeat columnist, general thoughts on jazz.
#2 — Jul. 20, 2005
Listener emails, background as a jazz musician in New York, thoughts on Keith Jarrett.
#3 — Jul. 28, 2005
Theatrical and jazz improv, featuring an interview with Chicago City Limits star Rob Schiffman.
#4 — Aug. 4, 2005
Self-promotion via the web, ideas from Bret Primack's "How to Make It Big in the New Music Biz".
#5 — Aug. 12, 2005
Making it in NY as a musician, including an interview with jazz pianist Daniel Kelly.
#6 — Aug. 20, 2005
Frank talk about agents, arts presenters, and non-profits with poet/musician David Gonzalez.
#7 — Aug. 27, 2005
Jazz in Canada, the Canada Council, advice on grants, coming to NY vs. staying home — with bassist John Geggie.
#8 — Sep. 16, 2005
Helping Michael Brecker find a bone marrow donor, thoughts on New Orleans, free vs. paid podcast content.
#9 — Oct. 8, 2005
First AES conference report: future of the recording industry, surround sound, paid vs. free content.
#10 — Oct. 19, 2005
Second AES conference report: virtual instruments with Tom Hopkins of Garritan Personal Orchestra.
#11 — Nov. 9, 2005
AES conference report: virtual instruments with Gary Garritan, plus reflections on the Governor General Awards.
#12 — Nov. 23, 2005
Bridging cultural differences through jazz, including an interview with American Voices founder John Ferguson.
#13 — Jan. 28, 2006
The expatriate jazz experience with Coco York including travels to Cambodia and more on American Voices.
#14 — Mar. 3, 2006
Wide-ranging interview with violinist Christian Howes including frank talk about his stint in prison, and touring the world.
#15 — Mar. 16, 2006
The premiere of the title cut from "Serenity Song", plus thoughts from a seminar on Internet Music Marketing.
#16 — May 3, 2006
Interview with Yoon Choi, an excerpt from "Québécité". Race and Canadian identity, promotion, booking, and trying to make it in New York.
#17 — Jun. 22, 2006
A tribute to John Hicks, an excerpt from the Trudeau opera, and an audio tour of "Serenity Song".
#18 — Sep. 11, 2006
A piece in memory of 9/11, plus thoughts on Myspace and jazz in the instant access age.
#19 — Oct. 14, 2006
My new son Jarrett's effect on me, the four things one needs to succeed with a music career, plus an original piece sung by Dean Bowman.
#20 — Dec. 20, 2006
Personal productivity books and software, David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD); plus a jazz version of Silent Night.
#21 — Jun. 2, 2007
Virtual Instruments, Garritan's Strad Violin and Gofriller Cello, Bosendorfer's new Ceuss player piano; an excerpt from the opera on Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
#22 — Oct. 22, 2007
An in-depth interview with New Music Strategies guru Andrew Dubber about strategies for succeeding in the new Web 2.0 musical world.
D.D. Jackson