Sometimes change is a hard thing to accept.

Sometimes change is a hard thing to accept. After being around Ambrosia for so many years and developing a friendship with the members in it, one can be skeptical of an outsider being brought into the “family” of familiar faces.

I have known the band since its original line up and “been there” when additional talent was brought into augment Ambrosia’s sound and yet “again” when those faces were replaced by others.

This brings us to yet another truly talented musician being brought into the fold.

When one of the original members decided to leave Ambrosia, Doug Jackson was brought into the family to fill that spot… and what a wise choice that was.

After seeing my first show with Doug and hearing the new release, all my doubts have been thrown to the wayside.

Ambrosia today sounds tighter, fresher and happier than I’ve heard or seen in a long time. One thing I now realize is that change can be a good thing.

I guess the best way to sum this up is to quote a verse from one of the bands songs… “Endings” are places where all things begin!

With this interview, I’d like to shed some light on the talents and history of Ambrosia’s newest member… Doug Jackson.

Patrick Rossi

Q. Was your family supportive in your choice to become a musician and the lifestyle that goes with it?

A. My family has always been extremely supportive of me. My parents always told me to follow my heart. The lifestyle issue of potentially being broke and strung out on drugs probably crossed their minds, but I know deep down that they knew I had a good head on my shoulders.

Q. What is your opinion on the state of music these days? It seems like a lot of the bands these days sound the same, almost all copy each other instead of trying to separate themselves from the others?

A. Well….Hmmmm!!!! In basketball, if you are the greatest player on earth you generally reap the rewards of the talent that you have. Both financially and in exposure… In music this formula does not apply… In fact, mediocrity seems to be the norm.. Making millions of dollars as a musician seems to have nothing to do with true giftedness. This is not to say that there aren’t some genuinely gifted musicians and bands out there who are reaping these rewards and rightfully so. But more often than not, it appears that this immediate gratification society that we live in tends to breed a lazy culture. Especially amongst its youth. In my opinion, it all boils down to education. Not necessarily in the classroom, but in a deep conviction to know. A deeply convicted person who truly wants to be great at their art form would in my opinion have a deep hunger for knowledge and skills that have been passed along from the greats before them. This can be learned through osmosis and not in a traditional teacher/student relationship. Most of the kids today aren’t interested in music that’s more than a few years old. I recently asked a young aspiring musician (20 yrs old) if he liked the Eagles? He said he had never heard of them. I think that pretty much sums it up. When I used to teach music to young guitar students, most of them had little interest in trying to learn songs off of records or learning about how music works or listening to music that was from another era. They usually just wanted me to show them where to put their fingers and which notes to strum in order to duplicate the latest popular song. Mimicry is a necessary starting point, but originality usually comes through sweat and hard work. Was it Einstein that said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” It is much easier to be average and familiar.

Q. How many guitars do you own and do you have a preference of one make and model opposed to the others… brand, sold body, hollow body, etc?

A. Not that many really. I think about fifteen. I love them all for different reasons. I have a custom made acoustic that is truly amazing. I actually played it on Shem’s “Born to Take the Fall” (Son of Arthur CD). I love the way a Gibson 335 lays on a strap and plays so easily. I love the sound of a Strat. I, also, have a really nice custom made electric that is like the quintessential rock guitar. It gets the really huge sound for the anthem rock.

Q. Are you trained in any other instruments?

A. I did play the electric bass pretty seriously between the ages of 15 and 21. I was never a rock or funk kind of player. I tried more to emulate guys like Steve Swallow. Kind of a lyrical approach. I, also, played a small bit of arco bass in school orchestra. I went through a brief faze of wanting to pay drums when I was about 10. I had a piece of junk set that my Uncle bought me and as soon as I broke the drumheads my parents said “enough of that”. I have a fundamental understanding of the piano in terms of using it as a writing tool. I, do not however posses the technique to play much other than simple chord progressions.

Q. Do you do any session work?

A. Yes, I have done quite a bit over the years. Here are a few…. “Baywatch, NBC’s miniseries “Drug Wars”, NBC’s “Late Nite” with Greg Kinnear, Fox’s “El Corazon Del Beisbol”, Commercials including Oldsmobile, Toyo Tires, GT Bikes, Coca-Cola and Pearl Vision.” I have done a lot of various gospel recordings with different Contemporary Christian artists. I have done two albums with Roberto Carlos. Some jazz stuff with artists such as Steve Madaio, Tom Saviano, Lisa Richard and pretty recently with Jeremy Lubbock’s wife Melissa Vardey. The most fulfilling thing to me about sessions, is getting to play with some great musicians, as well as the challenge of being thrown into an unknown musical situation and pulling off some creative stuff. Funny thing is, is that when I moved to LA, sessions were really what I wanted to do most. I remember when I got a call to do my first major film date. Here I am halfway through this recording date at Warner Bros. Studios sitting in my chair in this big room with an orchestra. Then I think to myself “Well, here you are, playing what is on the page just like you wanted… and feeling totally unsatisfied… “I should be thrilled”…. but I honestly was just feeling letdown. I had for so many years as a kid created these expectations in my head that when I finally was there, it was a let down. This is not to say that I have not done some really enjoyable sessions. On the contrary… But, I far prefer to play in a live situation in front of an audience. That to me is a fulfilling experience.

Q. For the record, do you mind telling us your age?

A. I was born on May 21st 1963. I am 39.

Q. What would you like to see for yourself and Ambrosia in the future?

A. I really hope we will record a studio album with all new material. The massive amount of talent and diversity in this band would produce something very special. I, also, hope we will tour more frequently in the coming year.

Q. Will you be working with the guy’s on any of their side projects?

A. I have already and hope to do more. I played on two tracks of Shem’s record (Son of Arthur) “Serious” which we co-wrote and I played on “Born to Take the Fall”. I have also done two tracks with Tollak for an instrumental harmonica record he is working on.

Q. Do you have any interest in scoring any films?

A. If the opportunity presented itself to me, I would jump at the chance. But, I don’t feel any deep conviction to pursue it.

Q. I made a comment that you have filled a position that most wouldn’t have wanted too… since they are two totally different styles of playing, what differences do you see between your playing and the previous guitarists approach to the guitar?

A. First I want to say that I have the deepest respect and admiration for Mr. Pack’s work. I don’t know him, but he obviously wore his musical shoes brilliantly. I on the other hand am wearing a different pair of sneakers. I would not attempt to fill his shoes or anybody else’s, because I believe all people have a different footprint and style of shoe they like to wear. I have my musical strengths as well as my weaknesses, but I will always try to walk in my shoes to the best of my ability. As far as the differences in our approach to the guitar, it is really difficult for me to say. I don’t know Mr. Pack’s history well enough. What I do know is that what I have heard him do with Ambrosia was great. I have a different history. My strengths I believe lie in my diversity and intensity.

Q. The band used to be located pretty much all in the same area, how tough is it as a band to record, tour and make arrangements now that Joe has made a long distance move?

A. Well, since I have been in the band, Joe has always lived at a distance. So, I really don’t have anything to compare it to. But fortunately, the musical giftedness of all the guys make it a lot easier to present and articulate learning a new tune. For instance-- Joe’s “Let Me Down Slow” was presented to me in the form of a CD demo. I, then listened to it and learned the melodic and harmonic structure of the song. We then got together for a few hours and came in with our part ideas, which would then be changed and re-arranged and experimented with during sound checks at various shows until we started performing it. And wallah!!! Another brilliant tune by Joe!

Buy Doug's solo CD "Storm Chaser" Here!

Photos by Frank Ciapanna, Doug Tybor & Others, All pics & Text Copyrighted © 2002 ambrosia web & perspective owners.

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