2 Emmy Nominations, Adventures with "The Roots", and more...
D.D. Jackson Spring/16 Newsletter
Composer - Arranger - Producer - Performer - Educator 


It's been a while so I thought it might be time for a fuller newsletter! Enclosed please find information about some of my recent activities, including my two Emmy nominations, adventures playing (and almost playing!) with The Roots, and more. As always, please also (of course) keep me in mind for your composing, arranging, production and performing needs! 
STAY CONNECTED:
Two Emmy Nominations for "Peg + Cat":

As I mentioned previously on Facebook, I was honored to have received two Emmy award nominations as composer this year for the work I've done on the PBS show "Peg + Cat", in the categories of "Outstanding Original Song" (nominated with lyricist  Kevin Del Aguila), and "Outstanding  Music Direction and Composition" (as part of the team that includes Music Director and fellow composer J. Walter Hawkes, Music Supervisor Steven Rebollido, and fellow composer Martin Erskine). I head out to L.A. this week to see the results, but - as was the case last year when we were also nominated - it's always an honor just to be nominated, especially as part of such a special show like "Peg + Cat" (that itself has already won multiple previous Emmy Awards).
 
For those in the States, you can hear another recently-broadcast episode for which I composed the music (with recurring themes by J. Walter Hawkes) for free from the PBS site by clicking below. Be sure to scroll to the "15:28 remaining" mark to hear a song I wrote/arranged and particularly enjoyed working on (" Differently", with lyrics by show co-creator  Jennifer Oxley), with some wonderful visuals ( kudos also to show co-creator Billy Aronson, and to the entire production team):


Fun Adventures with "The Roots":

I've had a few fun interactions with The Roots of late, after helping produce and perform on a track on their Grammy-nominated CD "Undun" and, most recently, doing string and vocal arrangements (and performing) on their most recent CD, "...And Then You Shoot You Cousin". This past winter, I was also honored to be asked to play piano with them for my debut at the theater of Madison Square Garden, as part of the John Lennon 75th Birthday Tribute (also broadcast later on AMC).



I next "ran into" The Roots this past Feb. - this time in my capacity as the arranger ( and also shaker player!) for the billion-Youtube-viewed artist Kygo, for our performance of his hit song "Stole the Show" on The Tonight Show (which I scored using "real" instruments - including the great Tereasa Payne on actual pan flute vs. the more electronic dance music textures of the original). Needless to say, The Roots (watching me from across the stage from their regular Tonight Show house band "perch") were surprised to see me there also playing shaker and I definitely got a few smiles from across the room :-).

(l-r): Parson James, myself, Jimmy Fallon, Tereasa Payne, Kygo, Dennis Delgaudio, Mike Sorrentino (and Jim Robertson - not pictured)

Finally (and perhaps most dramatically), I had the pleasure of rehearsing with The Roots for an arrangement they planned in tribute for David Bowie for the two concerts scheduled to take place in Bowie's honor at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. The plan was for me to do my take on Bowie pianist Mike Garson's notorious free-jazz-infused piano solo from Bowie's tune " Aladdin Sane", and for us to then segue to The Root's take on " Fame" - featuring guest vocalist Kimbra, plus Wendy Melvoin (whom I remember - more poignantly now than ever in light of  the sad news of Prince' s recent passing - as a member of the duo " Wendy and Lisa"). Unfortunately, the performance wasn't meant to be, when Questlove made headlines after (I think quite reasonably) pulling out:


Perhaps we'll have a chance to do the piece again down the line, but it was still an honor to see and work with them again (though I'm still itchin' to have a crack at that solo :-)!)
OTHER NEWS:

I was also recently honored to play on piano with my longtime musical colleagues (and mentors!) baritone saxophone player Hamiet Bluiett, electric bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, trombonist Craig Harris, guitarist Kelvyn Bell, led by percussionist/singer Kahil El'Zabar, as part of the Jazz Foundation of America's annual Loft Party fundraiser - a huge gathering I've had the pleasure of playing at several times before featuring many luminaries from the jazz world. Kahil's music was all about spirit and groove, and his trance-like mood brought the audience right into him and what he was doing. We ended with a rousing tribute to David Bowie with his iconic tune "Let's Dance".

(l-r): Kahil El'Zabar,  Craig Harris, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, myself. Photo credit: Sound Evidence.
Upcoming events as performer include my appearance on piano at this year's Vision Jazz Festival with Hamiet Bluiett's band (also featuring Bob Stewart - tuba, and Hamid Drake - drums), on Saturday, June 11th:

My latest VIDEO REEL:

Websites:
ddjackson.com (Jazz activities)
ddjacksoncomposer.com (Composing for Media)