RAYMOND T. JACKSON emerged onto the international concert scene in the second half of the twentieth century when a new generation of concert pianists was appearing. In his childhood he was inspired by great artists such as pianists Arthur Rubinstein and Vladimir Horowitz; the magnificent voices of Marian Anderson and Roland Hayes; violinists Jascha Heifetz and Isaac Stern; and numerous other great artists, as well as symphony orchestras. Later William Kapell, Natalie Hinderas and André Watts were among the trail blazers for succeeding generations of successful new keyboard artists.
Following his years at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston (BMus), The Juilliard School in New York City (BS, MS, Professional Diploma, and DMA), and The American Conservatory of Music in Fontainebleau, France, Raymond T. Jackson received numerous honors, awards, and ecstatic critical reviews which made him well-known in national and international arenas. Where did this story begin for the African-American youngster who grew up in the New England city of Providence, Rhode Island where he began piano studies at the age of four.
After completing 3 years of intensive piano study and research, Dr. Jackson expanded his performance career as an advocate who would bring public and scholastic attention to those composers of African descent whose works merited performances on the concert stage and study in classrooms and teaching studios. For over 3 decades Dr. Jackson sought to fulfill this mission throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Jackson’s Solo and Lecture Recitals, along with his Special Teaching Skills have demonstrated his profound music gifts to audiences, students and music lovers around the globe. As both a Soloist and Lecture Recitalist, Dr. Jackson has shown that whether one plays Bach or Ulysses Kay, Hayden or the Chevalier de Saint-George, Brahms or Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Chopin or Hall Johnson, compositions of these among many other composers of African descent demonstrates the excellence in spirit and craftmanship comparable to the works of the European Masters. The cultural heritage of Black composers is musically and culturally rich.
Raymond T. Jackson began his professional teaching at the age of 16 in his home studio in Providence, RI. In 1970, he began teaching music at a collegiate level as a Professor at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY and later, at the Mannes School of Music in New York City and at the University of Rhode Island. In Washington, DC, he was an Adjunct Professor at the Catholic University of America. In 1977, following two highly acclaimed piano recitals at the National Gallery of Art, Dr. Jackson was offered a full-time position in the Department of Music at Howard University, where he subsequently taught for nearly four decades. In 2013, Dr. Jackson officially retired from his position at Howard University, while remaining in constant demand for his effective and inspiring teaching. At the same time, he continues to display his considerable skills as a coach lecture recitalist, concerto soloist and adjudicator.
Dr. Jackson's legacy will continue with his forthcoming 3-CD set of recordings featuring the works of 19th-century Romantic Composers; Composers of African descent; and Composers who graduated from Howard University’s Department of Music.
