Edward Jackson, Jr.
Educational Pursuits
When Eddie came of age, he attended the Trinity Temple Seventh-day Adventist School as well as the public schools of Newark, New Jersey. While at Trinity Temple, he achieved the distinguished honor of being the class valedictorian. This is especially noteworthy because there were only two students in his class! He was introduced to the study of voice while in high school, and his first voice teachers were Alfred Hopkins and Calvin Jackson. In 1959, after serving in the United States Army, he entered the school of music at Howard University where he earned a bachelor of music degree in voice. While at Howard University he studied with Louise Burge, and then for fourteen years, he continued his studies with renowned baritone Todd Duncan. As a student at Howard University he was a soloist with the Howard University Choir and had the privilege of going on tour with them to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Eddie’s other voice teachers included Andrew Frierson of New York, Romley Fell of New Jersey, John Bullock of Virginia and Charlotte Holloman of Washington, DC. Eddie went on to complete post baccalaureate courses at Trinity University and the University of the District of Columbia.
Prologue
The year was 1933, and the United States experienced monumental events. Among those events were President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s inauguration of the New Deal, the construction of California’s Golden Gate Bridge, the dedication of Mount Rushmore and the birth of Edward Jackson, Jr. on December 10, 1933. Thus began the life and legacy of this male child born in Newark, New Jersey to the late Edward Jackson, Sr. and Sylvia Webb-Jackson.
In the Beginning
Edward (Eddie) was a precocious child who began his love affair with music at a very young age. He, along with his three siblings, sang while his mother played the piano and his grandfather coached them. Although his grandfather never took formal lessons, he demonstrated skill in playing the piano, guitar, flute and trumpet. It was this innate ability toward music that was passed on to Eddie, and the atmosphere of this musical home was his first school of music.
Eddie's Parents: Sylvia and Victor Murphy
Family Man
It was while teaching in DC Public Schools that Edward met a fellow teacher, Hermione Victoria Lowe. This chance encounter would forever change his life. They subsequently married on June 18, 1967, and Eddie claimed, “I did not marry Herm because she was someone I could live with. I married her because she is someone I cannot live without.” This marriage “made in heaven” produced one son, Edward Jackson III. He and his dad became the best of friends and confidants. Eddie later became the doting grandfather to Davion Enrico, Edward DeMarco, Erin DeMia and great-grandfather to DeMarco Ezio Jackson. It was Erin, his only female grandchild, who lovingly named him Poppi while DeMarco referred to him as his cool grandpa. Davion, the Jackson’s chosen grandson, loved and admired Eddie so much that he asked if he could join the family and include Jackson to his name.
Edward Jackson’s knowledge was respected by his peers, and he was regarded as a teacher’s teacher. Established singers and music teachers often sought to study voice with him. The Supervising Director of Music repeatedly selected him to prepare and conduct the music teacher’s chorus. Eddie also taught at Howard University, the Catholic University of America and the University of the District of Columbia. He was an accomplished tenor and performed extensively as a guest soloist in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and elsewhere in the nation with more than 300 oratorios in his repertoire. He sang more than 1,000 performances of Handel’s Messiah.
Eddie led quite an accomplished professional career, yet he devoted many years of his life in the ministry of music that elevated one’s heart, mind, and soul towards the God he loved and served. He conducted many church choirs in the Washington, DC area, and for 41 years he served as the Minister of Music at Dupont Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. In that capacity, he conducted the Chancel Choir, the Oratorio Society, the Ladies Chorus and the Male Chorus. Throughout the years he also conducted the Children’s Choir of 60 voices. One of the hallmarks of his service to Dupont Park was the Oratorio Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, which he conducted with full orchestra. To God be the glory for the great things He has done through his willing and able servant, Maestro Edward Jackson, Jr.
Professional Experience
Edward began teaching in the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPSS) in 1964 and served as a vocal music specialist on every level. In addition, he assisted in conducting and development under the leadership of Dr. Frances White Hughes, founder of the city-wide choral music program, Young Scholars with Special Gifts. In 1966 Eddie became its full-time director. This group became the DC Youth Chorale, the official city-wide chorus of the DCPSS. Under his direction, the chorale continued building its fine reputation and became known for its choral sound, unyielding high standards of excellence and its varied repertoire. The DC Youth Chorale performed in all major venues in the Washington, DC area and on television. It officially represented the United States as ambassadors of goodwill to Romania. In 1979 they traveled to Mexico for a choral festival and returned with top honors. The DC Youth Chorale expanded into a comprehensive program which included an elementary/junior high curriculum with a dance component, an opera workshop, a summer program and an alumni chorus. In 1975, when the Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded, Eddie was assigned as a faculty member. He became the school’s first concert choir director. He taught voice at Duke Ellington School of the Arts and taught privately for over forty years. As of December 2014, his failing health would no longer permit him to perform the duties that for so long had been his passion.
“Don’t be a thermometer changing as the temperature changes.
Be a thermostat and set the temperature.”
- Edward Jackson, Jr.
Qualities Worth Emulating
Eddie was the consummate husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a chosen dad too many. He understood the importance of having parents as good role models and the benefits of a tight family bond. First and foremost he loved the Lord. This was the number one criteria for Hermione’s mother’s approval for their marriage. His love for the Lord was the glue that held their marriage together for 49 1/2 years. All of his children (biological and chosen) could depend on him for private talks, a ride home, lunch money or advice when needed for their troubling hearts. Eddie was honest about every matter he discussed with you whether you wanted to hear the facts or not and many claimed him as both a mentor and an inspiration.
He knew how to handle a dollar and to tuck away his money for anyone who needed it. And if per chance he did not have enough, he suddenly found an eager soul to teach voice lessons for a fee. His sense of humor, gorgeous smile, and the quality time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchild were quite memorable and special.
Epilogue
Eddie’s life was indicative of a quote from John Cotton Dana, a well-known librarian, who said, “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” That was Eddie – always teaching and always learning. He believed in giving his best and requiring the same from those he taught. His students are distinguished in many disciplines including many genres of the performing arts, medicine, dentistry, law, ministry, government service, education, administration and private industry. Some of his students who have excelled in the arts include internationally renowned opera singer, Mezzo Soprano Denyce Graves; Broadway singer and actor Cheryl Freeman; actor and writer Michael Genet; recording artist Debbie Davis; Ralph Glenmore of the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe; Grace Bradford, Supervising Director of Music (retired) for DPCSS; Yvette Holt, Music Educator (retired) and the past Vice President of the National Opera Association, Gail Robinson-Oturu, PhD., who is also a musician and university professor.
Continuing his legacy are his wife of 491⁄2 years, Hermione Victoria Lowe Jackson; son Edward Jackson III; grandchildren Davion Enrico (Kara), Edward DeMarco, Erin DeMia and great-grandson DeMarco Ezio Jackson, all of the Washington Metropolitan area. Also left to continue his legacy are his god-daughter Brenda Blackmon Wood of Atlanta, GA; sisters Laura Christian and Audrey Roberts of Newark, NJ; sisters-in-law Ermer Lowe of Upper Marlboro, MD; Joyce Lowe of Chicago, IL; Jean and Flora Lowe of Washington, DC.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former students and individuals chosen personally by the Jacksons to become members of their extended family. Preceding him in death are his parents, his step-father Victor Murphy and his brother Kenneth Blair Jackson.