Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jackson A. Waters. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jackson, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I’m thrilled to be here! I believe that the notion of me discovering my purpose at such a young age is somewhat naive because I think that my focus and desires are constantly evolving. Just two years ago, I was composing my debut orchestral symphony inspired by the Tulsa Race Massacre. Prior to that, I primarily focused on playing the trumpet at The Colburn School. Currently, I have been actively composing and releasing music centered on introspection and self-reflection. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible musicians, mentors, and encountering opportunities I never thought were accessible. If I were to pinpoint my lifelong passion, it has always revolved around creating. Whether it was constructing LEGO sets when I was 10 or performing trumpet with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, I have always cherished the act of creation. Bringing musical notes on paper to life through my own hands, or writing those notes on a page and hearing them come to life through others, is a sensation that I struggle to put into words. This feeling has led me to experience opportunities that I could only dream of, such as conducting an orchestra, composing a choral work for a professional choir, or simply teaching music. Whatever my purpose may be, or will become, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to create the art I hold so dear.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Sure! I’m a 21-year-old concert and film composer and trumpet player, and my recent musical endeavors lie in revitalizing and celebrating Black American history and culture. My dedication to unearthing untold stories and shedding light on racial injustices has earned me acclaim and recognition as an award-winning artist. My debut orchestral symphony, a programmatic multi-movement piece about the Tulsa Race Massacre, has garnered widespread praise from esteemed institutions like The Colburn School, NYU Orchestra, and the American Composers Orchestra. Although it was a phenomenal experience and an amazing opportunity, working on a large-scale orchestral work took a lot out of me, with slightly less to show for it than I had hoped. I needed space to breathe. I found myself writing music that helped me look inward, music that was introspective, and music that brought me peace.
I delved further into this new palette of music creation during my four-month period in Prague, where I collaborated with Czech musician and composer Beata Hlavenková. With her help, I was able to record in hundred-year-old venues and work with incredible musicians to bring my music to life. Through my mentors, the musicians, and engineers I worked with, I was able to release my first three singles on all streaming platforms and share my introspective journey with all of you.
My debut single, “NoMad,” is a solo piano piece that focuses on introspection and looking inward. I was inspired by the imagery of staring out a rainy train window, with raindrops continuously sliding down the glass as your mind wanders.
As a frequent listener of jazz and hip-hop, I have been pushing the boundaries of concert music by incorporating sampling into the genre, while shedding light on underrepresented African history and culture. Recently, I discovered an online library published by the International Library of African Music, featuring over 13,000 recordings of traditional African folk songs recorded by composer Hugh Tracey between the 1950s and 1960s. Each recording is available for free download under the Creative Commons license.
For my second summer release, titled “Mangondo Postlude,” I sampled a recording from the library featuring two Chewa women singing a heartfelt marriage folk song titled “Mangondo Azipita” over my composition for a string trio and piano. “Mangondo Postlude” showcases the talented S.V.A String Trio, seamlessly blending the evocative audio from the original recording with the live performance.
Originally composed for a film in 2022, “Hold Me & Let Go” was my final release for the summer, featuring me on trumpet. This piece was recorded live in the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church in Prague. “Hold Me & Let Go” explores the experience of holding someone you love for the last time and having to let go for the better. It is a warm hug, a comforting assurance that you will be okay.
To promote my recently released works, I have been using TikTok to upload videos of me turning my followers’ names into musical melodies and playing them. A few years ago, I developed an algorithm using Paul W. Metz’s Clock Diagram to transform the letters of people’s names into notes, which I then turn into songs. With enough support, I hope to gain the necessary backing to release my album in the near future and perform these works live.
I hope that my works will inspire a movement of sampling audio in concert music, bringing long-forgotten beautiful melodies to light. I aspire for my listeners to experience my music in a similar light of introspectiveness and join me on this musical journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I have a tattoo on my left arm with the phrase ‘Paciencia y Fe,’ which means ‘Patience and Faith’ in Spanish. This phrase holds special significance to me as it comes from my favorite musical, “In the Heights,” composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In 2018, I had the privilege of being the trumpet player for a production of In the Heights in the Los Angeles area. It was the most challenging, fun music I have ever played and it made me such a better player and deepened my appreciation for music. The concept of patience has been an impactful word in my life since my childhood, and as the phrase from my favorite musical had such a profound impact on me that I decided to get it tattooed on my arm. It serves as a constant reminder to maintain ‘Patience and Faith’ as I continue my journey as an artist. For me, patience signifies the understanding that certain things take time, and faith represents my belief that enduring challenges such as burnout, writer’s block, and other obstacles will ultimately lead me to where I belong. It’s important to note that having faith is not an excuse to not do anything, but a drive to trust yourself that you will reach your goals.
My last valuable piece of advice I often share with my peers and students is the importance of taking breaks. Whenever I find myself struggling with writing, creating, or practicing, I remind myself of the phrase, ‘the breaks between the notes are as essential as the notes themselves.’ While this advice is particularly relevant to composers and music creators, it holds true for anyone seeking to avoid overwhelming themselves in any endeavor. Taking a break not only allows for mental clarity but also offers a fresh perspective and renewed energy to start back up.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I feel that naming just one person who has helped me get this far would be disingenuous to the army of people who have believed in me, supported me, and loved me more than I could have imagined. Without the support of my family, I would not have been able to pursue such a competitive career in the arts. Without the trust and faith of Dr. Wyant Morton, the director and conductor of the Arete Vocal Ensemble, I would not have had a mentor to provide me with the opportunity to compose and premiere my first choral work with a professional ensemble at just 17 years old. Without the persistence and continued mentorship of Janine Delarte, I would not have found my love for teaching, my passion for jazz, and the understanding of the importance of live music and improvisation. Without conductor Andy Anderson, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to submit my orchestral symphony to professional orchestras directly. Without the passion of Beata Hlavenkova, I would not have had the chance to perform in such beautiful and unique spaces, nor work with such incredible performers. She pushed me to aim high, to think bigger, to go farther than what I originally thought was possible for myself. Without my friends, I wouldn’t have had the people to mix and master my works, and the support I needed to make my music as strong as it could be.
Therefore, I cannot just mention one person who has been the most helpful, because each person in my life has helped me in many different ways, and I would not be the person I am today without everyone who has supported me, and I am so grateful for all of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jacksonawaters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonawaters/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6RkEkCw60BCaeVrhTYG8XP?si=kNF5LQyDTbS-FL5mi7CTtg
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jackson-a-waters/1684552524
- Bandcamp: https://jacksonawaters.bandcamp.com/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksonawaters
