We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Douglas Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Douglas, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am thankful that I get the opportunity to do both. I am still able to go out and preform, entertain, and share my passion. But I am also a music teacher at Aurora West College Preparatory Academy; so during the day I get to pass on my musical knowledge and work with children.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a trumpeter, independent recording artist, and educator. I grew up in Denver’s Five Points Neighborhood and have had the opportunity to travel all around the world through music. I have three full length CD’s that are available on Spotify, Itunes, and Amazon Music. I specialize in a combination of funk and jazz music that is guaranteed to get you moving and grooving.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I started playing music when I was about 16 years old, that was around 1971. Music technology and resources have come a long way since I’ve started preforming professionally. What I wish was available when I was younger was the Digital Audio Workstations that are available today. There are so many tools and features that I couldn’t have dreamed having access to when I was younger and writing music.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Ultimately my goal is to leave an artistic legacy that my family and I can be proud of. There have been a lot of people in my life who have helped me get to the point I am at today. And although a lot of them are no longer with us, I want to demonstrate that I have retained what they taught me and make them proud with knowing that the knowledge they passed on is going to good use.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dougjacksonmusic.com