D.D. Jackson (featuring David Murray): Peace-Song

Nils Jacobson

Senior Contributor since 1999

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Published: July 1, 2000

D.D. Jackson (featuring David Murray): Peace-Song

Pianist D.D. Jackson, a Canadian transplant to New York, recorded his first record, Peace-Song, in late '94. It features his trio, which also includes Canadian expatriates John Geggie on bass and Jean Martin on drums. Tenor saxophonist David Murray makes contributions throughout, blowing melodies as well as far-flung solos making use of the full range (emotional as well as tonal) of his instrument.

Jackson's playing betrays obvious similarity to that of the late Don Pullen: it straddles the gap between swinging jazz and avant-garde abstraction, frequently utilizing thick chords and punchy note clusters to accomplish the task. But there's no doubt that he has his own voice. In the realm of creative rhythmic deconstruction, for example, Jackson definitely has his very own vision of syncopation. The tunes on Peace-Song, are all Jackson's own, ranging from tight funk to bluesy up-tempo jazz to loose ballads.

Track Listing: Waltz for a New Life, Breakout, Peace-Song, For Monk-Sake, Wisps of Thought, Tunnel Vision, Seasons, Canon, Funerale (for Chris).

Personnel: D.D. Jackson, piano; David Murray, tenor saxophone; John Geggie, bass; Jean Martin, drums.

Record Label: Justin Time Records
Style: Modern Jazz