D.D. Jackson “2641 FULLER TERRACE” (feat. vocalist Dean Bowman) Video Premiere

With his new video “2641 FULLER TERRACE,” D.D. Jackson underlines another of the many fine moments on his Poetry Project album. We have been premiering all of Jackson’s music videos associated with his Poetry Project record, all studio clips that accentuate his many talents and those of his collaborators.

With the album a highly collaborative endeavour, “2641 FULLER TERRACE” is one of two tracks on the album featuring Dean Bowman (the other being “Coda: the Blues”). With it primarily a jazz-based affair, Bowman brings a bluesier presence to the table with his soulful vocal style. Bowman has a longtime connection to Jackson, having played his father in Jackson’s opera Quebecite. The two recorded “2641 FULLER TERRACE” remotely, with Bowman in Romania, which he now calls home.

Describing the song, Jackson says:

“I’m so excited to premiere this video. It’s a song I composed set to the lyrics of none other than Canada’s former Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke (who also originally commissioned my writing of twelve of the 13 songs on Poetry Project). In the poem, George describes with characteristic evocative flair a remarkable guitarist at whose home he found himself staying, Gilbert Daye (also known as ‘Gilly’). I could think of no better person to sing it than the inimitable Dean Bowman, who possesses one of the most individual, soulful voices I know.

“Also featured are some of Canada’s finest instrumentalists; Snarky Puppy’s Larnell Lewis holding down the fort, Rich Brown on electric bass, and (taking an inspired solo), guitarist Tom Fleming, with myself on Rhodes, organ, and Bosendorfer piano. Lots of fun and I hope people enjoy it!”

Poetry Project is a special record for Jackson for so many reasons. It provided him with an opportunity to reconnect with his roots and even after all of these years, to continue to diversify the scope of his musical output. It’s been such a pleasure for Jackson to be able to wear so many musical hats and work with so many incredible people.

One of the most memorable connections he’s formed over the years has been with The Roots. He has been doing arrangements and performing with them off and on for several years. He has conducted one of his arrangements for them on The Tonight Show,where they are of course the house band. Jackson also did string arrangements and performed piano on their last album, And Then You Shoot Your Cousin. Jackson has formed a strong connection with The Roots co-frontman Questlove, creating ten symphonic arrangements for the “Prince Symphonic Tour,” which Questlove curated.

Despite all of his various successes, there is no quit in Jackson. He remains hungry to pursue new projects with new artists and find new ways of being both productive and creative.

Tour Dates:

12/06 – Redwood Theatre – Toronto, ON (Jackson solo piano concert playing the works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and his own compositions, with guest vocalist Yoon Sun Choi)
12/07 – Redwood Theatre – Toronto, ON (Album Release Party)

D.D. Jackson ‘Poetry Project’ album artwork