Ashley Jackson: Tracing the Sacred Currents of Music and Culture
From her first notes at age six to her groundbreaking album Take Me to the Water, harpist Ashley Jackson is reshaping what it means to be a classical artist today. Her musical journey has been defined not just by conservatory milestones at Yale and Juilliard, but by deep spiritual and cultural inquiry—grounded in her upbringing in the church and inspired by figures like composer Margaret Bonds.
In this episode, Jackson shares the stories behind her latest album, a sonic meditation on water as a unifying force across cultures. Featuring works by Alice Coltrane, Debussy, Bonds, and spirituals, the project weaves genres and histories into a singular artistic statement—one that reminds us of our shared humanity in divided times. For Jackson, the harp is not merely an instrument but a vessel of global lineage, connecting ancient Mesopotamia, West Africa, and Venezuela to today’s concert stages.
Looking ahead, she’s planning to take the album on the road while cultivating the seeds of her next creative endeavor. Through all of it, Jackson remains grounded in her values, artistry, and community—guided by beauty, resilience, and a desire to make space for reflection and joy.
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Founder, Gold Sound Media
