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
Composer-to-Composer Podcast
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 2: Allison Leyton-Brown
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".
Episode 1: Introduction
Why a new podcast by, for, and about composers and related artists
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