The phrases “skilled harpist” could not readily conjure up Black faces, however Dr. Ashley Jackson is decided to alter that. The musician and scholar blends the boundaries between musical genres. As heard on her new album Ennanga, she performs music rooted in the traditions of Black America and different musical types on the traditional stringed musical instrument.
Jackson additionally brings her music to the stage. Her newest curation, Take Me to the Water, which premiered at Lincoln Heart in New York Metropolis, is an immersive audio expertise that brings collectively themes from African mythology, non secular custom and the transportive, magical nature of water. Backed by a string ensemble and pushed by Jackson’s soulful harp solos, Take Me to the Water celebrates Black lyrical heritage with music by Margaret Bonds, Alice Coltrane and Nina Simone.
Jackson shares extra about her craft and her new album and explains why extra Black musicians ought to contemplate studying the harp.
EBONY: What an unimaginable instrument! Why did you resolve to take up the harp?
Ashley Jackson: My first piano trainer acknowledged that at a younger age, I had an insatiable curiosity for all issues music. One technique to discover that curiosity is to strive new devices. She really helpful the harp, not solely due to its similarities to the piano, but in addition, maybe extra virtually talking, she had a niece who taught younger harpists. The remaining is a superb historical past.
How are you reinterpreting the classical sound of the harp into modern-day music?
Each artist expresses their private expertise. The tales which are distinctive to my life and the place I come from are what I’m sharing with an viewers once I carry out. My aim is to make my interpretation and the sound of something I play as distinctive and private as my shadow or thumbprint. After we focus much less on divisions between the artificially-defined genres of music and extra on the connections between the music itself and the people who write it, the ensuing soundscape is wealthy and assorted. That is what drives me as a performer.
Inform us about your new album; what sort of music will we hear and what’s the message behind it?
Impressed by my musical heritage, Ennanga pays homage to the variety of American music by exploring the musical and non secular connections between varied types of America’s musical expression. Whereas Ennanga celebrates the affect of West African traditions and the centrality of the African American non secular to the historical past of American music, it additionally highlights the artistry of Black composers who’ve persistently redefined our musical panorama. The album options solo non secular preparations by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, modern jazz tunes by Alice Coltrane and fellow harpist Brandee Youthful, in addition to Ennanga, a chamber work written by African American composer William Grant Nonetheless. For this piece, and Coltrane’s Prema, I’m joined by members from my musical household, The Harlem Chamber Gamers.
Whereas Ennanga is technically thought of a solo classical album, it options all types of music, from spirituals to classical to jazz. These sorts of juxtapositions stay distinctive in my discipline however are reflective of my equally-varied musical upbringing.
How difficult is it to be taught to play the harp and the way lengthy have you ever been taking part in?
I’ve been taking part in this magical instrument for 20 years. We’ve 47 strings and 7 pedals, so you possibly can think about how we keep busy within the follow room. What I like in regards to the harp is that no matter you place into the instrument, it offers it proper again to you and extra.
What do you say to individuals who cannot envision a Black lady taking part in the harp? Any encouraging phrases for future Black harpists?
There are many us out right here and we’re taking part in in a wide range of types. The harp is among the oldest devices on the planet. Whereas it exists in lots of cultures, its roots are African. Not solely have there at all times been Black harpists, however we had been additionally the primary ones. As Black harpists, we’re standing on the shoulders of the African griots, the storytellers who got here earlier than us.
