New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Decca Records, US is honored to announce the signing of award-winning harpist, Ashley Jackson, whose evocative artistry fuses traditional classical music with the rich heritage of
Black spirituality. Ashley's label debut album, Take Me To The Water, will launch globally on March 21, with the first two tracks, "Deep River Pt. 1" and "Deep River Pt. 2" available now across all digital service providers.
Take Me to the Water is a masterful exploration of the transformative and spiritual power of water, featuring Jackson's unique interpretations of iconic works by
Margaret Bonds, Alice Coltrane,
Claude Debussy, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Through this deeply personal and creative project, Jackson takes listeners on a musical journey that connects cultural heritage, spiritual reflection, and universal themes of renewal and freedom.
"Water is celebrated in lots of different cultures, but, despite that, you find recurring themes in those celebrations," Jackson shares. "So I wanted to hone in on those ideas—ideals—such as love and rebirth and hope."
In "Deep River," originally adapted by composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor in 1905 - through her harp's fluid, celestial tones, Jackson breathes new life into this iconic spiritual. "In playing 'Deep River,' I'm transported to a place where I can access that kind of cultural memory," Jackson explains. "Just imagining my ancestors singing that, and what the words would have meant. So as to tell their oppressors that they're singing about one thing, but really, they're communicating something else. Tapping into that ingenuity is so humbling."
Take Me to the Water not only celebrates music's ability to connect cultures and histories but also raises awareness of global water inequities, with 2.2 billion people still lacking access to safe water today. This dual focus amplifies Jackson's belief in music's power to inspire and heal.
With Take Me to the Water, Ashley Jackson establishes herself as a bold and visionary voice in and beyond classical music, elevating the harp as an instrument of deep emotional resonance and limitless possibilities. The album promises to be a replenishing and immersive experience, creating a sonic experience that is both grounded in history and forward-looking.
Take Me To The Water Tracklist:
1. A. Coltrane: Radhye-Shyam
2. A. Jackson: River Jordan
3. Coleridge-Taylor: Deep River I
4. Coleridge-Taylor: Deep River II
5. Younger: Unrest
6. Debussy: Danse sacrée et danse profane, L. 103
7. Rezende: Yemaya I
8. Thomas: Yemaya II
9. Bonds: Troubled Water
10. Amen
11. Take Me To The Water I
12. Take Me To The Water II
