NADINA MACKIE JACKSON
BASSOON
GALLERY | BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | CONCERTO | DISCOGRAPHY | LINKS
GALLERY
Photography Bo Huang, Bo photo studio, Montreal/Toronto, Cylla von Tiedemann, Toronto
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BIOGRAPHY
Renowned Canadian bassoonist, Nadina Mackie Jackson, tours and records worldwide on both modern and historical bassoons. Her performances are remembered for their “effortless musicality and integrity, making the bassoon sound like a human voice” (NATIONAL POST). With eleven critically acclaimed solo and chamber CD titles to her credit, “Jackson removes all doubts as to the bassoon being a born solo instrument" (NORTHWEST REVERB). She is also heard on more than 100 orchestral recordings on such labes as London Decca, Sony and Naxos.
Ms. Mackie Jackson has performed as soloist with major orchestras including l'Orchestre Symphoniqe de Montréal, Toronto Chamber Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (Ithaca, N.Y.), and l'Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivière. Often collaborating with emerging and established composers, she has had many new works dedicated to her, including solo works, solo and double concerti, and even one symphony. This season saw premieres of three different works including: the first instalment of an electro acoustic work titled, Our Weight in Phrases by Christopher Willes at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Dreaming in Colours with composer/pianist Hye Kyng Lee at the Ninth Festival of Women Composers at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and Glenn Buhr's Concerto No. 2 for bassoon and orchestra at the Grand River Baroque Festival.
Co-director of the Grand River Baroque Festival in Ontario since 2009, Nadina and multi-instrumentalist, Guy Few, have added their stamp to this exciting festival. Integrating visual arts, movement, food and historically inspired performances (HIP), this festival features performances on both baroque and modern instruments. In addition to their co-directorship, Nadina and Guy frequently collaborate in recitals, concerto, recordings, and workshops across Canada and the United States. Their first concerto album together, titled Bacchanale, with the Toronto Chamber Orchestra won ‘Best Orchestral Album of the Year’ in the 2009 from the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. In addition, Nadina was invited to perform at the awards ceremony held in Nashville, where she represented the sole classical act amongst ninety performances.
Upon graduating from the Curtis Institute of Music, Nadina won the l'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal audition where she remained a member for a decade. After leaving Montreal, she subsequently became principal bassoon of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra for two years and to this day, remains active leading various ensembles.
Ms. Mackie Jackson is the founder of the Council of Canadian Bassoonists and a member of the advisory board for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition. She teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario), the University of Toronto and The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School.
(as of May 2010)
REVIEWS
“Jackson performs with effortless musicality and integrity, making the bassoon sound like a human voice”
- NATIONAL POST
“…bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson handles adeptly and with clear relish…[the] tone throughout the bassoon’s register is delicious.”
- WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE
“This is one of the most delightful recordings I have ever heard…interpretation, phrasing, ornamentation by consummate artist Nadina Mackie Jackson…she can make the music dance for your ears…an absolute thrill to hear.”
- THE DOUBLE REED Magazine
“…Jackson’s chops are fantastic…saucy and supremely confident…delicious [and] heart-achingly sincere…"
- NORTHWEST REVERB
“…seductively and shimmeringly gorgeous”
- WORLD MAGAZINE
“Mackie Jackson has a dark, burnished tone and a sensuous way of playing…”
- AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
“…the solo bassoon playing of Nadina Mackie Jackson…couldn’t be more refined, quicksilver or swashbuckling.”
- GRAMOPHONE
“Former Montreal Symphony bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson has given the world two of the finest discs ever recorded. The first contains the best ever version of the Prokofiev flute sonata in D (sounding better than ever on bassoon), while the most recent is an awesome collection of 20th century works that should enter the repertory of every professional bassoonist – accessible and lovely.”
- AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
PREFERRED CONCERTO LIST
2011-2012
Solo Bassoon and Orchestra
Marcel Bitsch Concertino
Jacques Hétu* Concerto for Bassoon, Op. 31
Hummel Grand Concerto in F Major for Bassoon
André Jolivet Concerto
Mozart Concerto
Vanhal Concerto in C (Strings only version available)
Weber Andante and Rondo, Op. 35; Concerto in F Major, Op. 75
Solo Bassoon and String Orchestra
Mathieu Lussier* Le Dernier Chant d’Ophélie (2008); Bassango (2006); Spring Lullaby (2007)
Villa-Lobos Ciranda das Sete Notas
Otmar Nussio Variations on an Aria by Pergolesi
Vivaldi (Concerti for solo bassoon, string orchestra and cembalo)
Concerto No. 1 in B flat Major
Concerto No. 2 in a minor
Concerto No. 5 in d minor
Concerto No. 6 in e minor
Concerto No. 7 in a minor
Concerto No. 14 in a minor
Concerto No. 17 in C Major
Concerto No. 23 in g minor
Concerto No. 26 in C Major
Concerto No. 35 in G Major
Solo Bassoon and Wind Symphony
Eric Ewahzen Concerto for Bassoon and Wind Ensemble
Eric Funk Concerto for Bassoon and Brass Ensemble, Op. 97
Weber Andante and Rondo (arranged)
Double Concerti
Brescianello Concerto (bassoon, violin and string orchestra)
Ritter Sinfonia Concertante in F Major (two bassoons and orchestra)
R. Strauss Concertino (bassoon, clarinet and string orchestra)
Vanhal Concerto in F (two bassoons and orchestra)
Vivaldi Concerto in G Major (bassoon, oboe and string orchestra)
Recital repertoire available upon request
Master classes and workshops available
Other concerti available upon request
* Canadian Composer
DISCOGRAPHY
Aux Armes, Citoyens! (w/ classical wind sextet, Les Jacobs!) ACD 22595
Romanza (w/ Guy Few & Toronto Chamber Orchestra) MS 1232
Bacchanale (w/ Guy Few & Toronto Chamber Orchestra) MS 1201
Caliban does Christmas (Caliban Quartet) ATMA 22334
Michel Corrette (w/ Musica Franca) MS 1171
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (w/ Mathieu Lussier & Musica Franca) MS 1170
Notes From Abroad (w/ David Swan, piano) Odd Bird Studios
Ever After (w/ David Swan, piano) Odd Bird Studios
Twelve Fantasies for Solo Bassoon by George Philipp Telemann Odd Bird Studios
FEAST: The Caliban Quartet NRLG CD 5012
BassOOnatics!: The Caliban Quartet CBC 1116
Upcoming Release
After Hours (w/ Guy Few)
LINKS
Artist Website
www.nadinamackiejackson.com
Academic Affiliations
www.music.utoronto.ca/faculty
www.rcmusic.ca
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Piano
Lucille Chung*
Jane Coop
Michael Kim
James Parker
Wonny Song*
Piano Duo
Anagnoson & Kinton
Violin
Martin Beaver
Alexandre Da Costa*
Erika Raum
Cello
Kaori Yamagami
Bassoon
Nadina Mackie Jackson*
ENSEMBLES
Piano Trio
Gryphon Trio
Trumpet & Bassoon Duo
guy&nadina*
Violin & Piano Duo
Da Costa & Song*
NARRATOR
Colin Fox
WORLD MUSIC
Indian Ghazals & Punjabi Folk Songs
Kiran Ahluwalia*
Cuban Music Ensemble
Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet*
SPECIAL PROJECT
Music-as-Theatre
The Schumann Letters*
*First AKAM Season