Like many of you I can't bear to watch t.v. anymore until we know the U.S. election results as I sit here in my home with my family in Maplewood, NJ, so I thought I'd instead send you this quick update about my activities (!)

First: for those who happen to be students in the City University of New York (CUNY) school system and especially at Brooklyn College, I'm excited to announce that I will be returning to direct the Brooklyn College Global Jazz Big Band class in the Spring/21 (all instrumentalists & vocalists welcome; no improv experience necessary!) The class will be done remotely, but "with a twist": using RealTime Music Solutions innovative Rehearsal LiveShare technology so that students can perform in real time with each other over the internet (initially to backing tracks I provide, but then on subsequent run-thrus to their previous takes), culminating in virtual ensemble videos I will edit together such as this previous one I did (below):

As before, the focus will be on original arrangements and compositions (including by myself and by students), as well as pieces culled from the jazz big band tradition, with a Global Jazz-centered focus. Email me if you're interested, or (if you're a CUNY student), go ahead and register (and spread the news!):

I should add: this technology to me is such a great rehearsal and recording solution that I plan to integrate it into my own Remotely Recorded Ensembles service, especially in the Spring. If you lead a group and need your own ensemble documented, let me know and I can help you generate remotely recorded guide and accompanimental tracks, and then edit together a finished virtual ensemble video (with a professional stereo audio mix) from your online rehearsals.

Also on the "education" front, I wanted to invite you to check out two recent masterclasses I had the pleasure of giving. The first (for those who missed my previous mention of it) was part of Carleton University's "Connected Culture" series (in my hometown of Ottawa!) and has now been archived here. The subject was "Being Conceptually Open-Minded in Your Music Career" and I had a great time talking about the different facets of my past musical activities, playing some original music live, and taking student questions:

The 2nd was one I recently did at Virginia Tech with Prof. Jason Crafton's jazz ensemble class. Their university is located extremely close to my former mentor Don Pullen's hometown of Roanoke, VA, and so I spent a large part of it breaking down my experiences studying with Don and my perceptions of his conceptual approach, as well as performing one of his pieces (that also appears on my latest CD), "Richard's Tune":

Finally, I'm also enjoying continuing to compose for media and to teach Media Scoring at the Feirstein Graduate School of Music (at Brooklyn College) - reach out to me if you'd like Zoom lessons of your own as it's always fun to share my knowledge!

Do stay safe and if you are a praying person (which I usually admittedly am not, but I'm making an exception tonight!), please pray for the United States of America. I do hope to see many of you in the future, as we try and get through all the craziness!

Do take care (and stay safe),

- D.D. Jackson