D.D. Jackson with Peggy Lee & Brad Turner
VCC King Edward Campus Auditorium (1155 East Broadway) 8:00 PM
Feb 5th, 2005
Ottawa-born, New York-based jazz pianist/composer D.D. Jackson is one
of the most exciting artists on the contemporary music scene. He is
part of a new generation of players who, while respectful of jazz
tradition is also seeking to move the language forward. Over the course
of eleven CD releases, Jackson has developed a musical lexicon which,
while hinting at a variety of styles and influences, is nevertheless
very much his own, at times rhythmically charged, at other times
graceful, soulful and delicate.
Jackson has received several awards including the National Jazz Awards
Socan Composer/Songwriter of the Year, six JUNO Award nominations, the
2000 JUNO for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, and has been voted #1
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition for Piano in the Down Beat
Critics Poll. This year Jackson was awarded Canada Council Grant to
orchestrate his major large-scale work for jazz/classical ensemble
called Suite for New York. As a sideman, the pianist has performed with
some of the most important names in contemporary jazz such as David
Murray, Jane Bunnett, James Carter, Chico Freeman and Dewey Redman.
In 2003 Jackson premiered a new jazz opera entitled Québécité (libretto
by the acclaimed Canadian poet George Elliot Clarke) at the Guelph Jazz
Festival, followed by performances presented in Vancouver by Coastal
Jazz & Blues Society. Both Brad Turner and Peggy Lee were members
of the opera’s five member musical ensemble and played significant
roles in the opera’s critical success.
Brad Turner is a JUNO Award winning Vancouver-based musician and one of
the most prominent jazz players in the country. Although primarily
recognized as a terrific trumpet player, Brad is also an excellent
pianist and drummer. The Globe and Mail wrote “he’s kind of a Miles
Davis, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett rolled into one” Besides
leading his own groups he co-leads the highly popular electric quartet
Metalwood. Turner has also performed with such artists as Wynton
Marsalis, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Mino Cinelu, Renee Rosnes and Joe
Williams.
Peggy Lee is a magnificent Vancouver-based cellist and one of Canada’s
leading improvisers. Her wide ranging credits include Talking Pictures,
new music ensemble Standing Wave, singer/songwriter Veda Hille, and the
Vancouver Opera. As an improviser she has shared the stage with many of
the world’s best players: Dave Douglas, Louis Sclavis, Butch Morris,
John Wolf Brennan and Barry Guy. She plays with astonishing dedication
and intense lyricism. Writing in the Georgia Straight Alex Varty
remarked that “Lee has won an international following for the strength
and beauty of her improvisational style.” Since 1998 Lee has led her
own six-piece group that performs her original compositions that
explore the interesting area between the melodic and the abstract.
Tickets $12/10 Students, Snrs., Jazz Friends at Ticketmaster, Highlife Records or through the Jazz Hotline at 604 872-5200.
D.D. Jackson web site www.ddjackson.com