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Reviews

Concert Review ‘Music in a Time of War’

When one pictures a virtuosic performance, a bassoon is generally not the first instrument to spring to mind, but that is exactly what Nadina Mackie and pianist Alexander Panizza delivered for Barrie Concerts at Hiway Church on Saturday night in Music in a Time of War.
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Augusta Read Thomas Terpsichore’s Box of Dreams – Classical Music

Soloist Nadina Mackie Jackson gives an especially rollicking performance and her strident solo line is met with stinging retorts from SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble (conducted with flair by Paula Holcomb) in this exhilaratingly spiky work. READ MORE

American Record Guide Carnival

Carnival (2022) is a concerto for bassoon and winds, performed by Nadina Mackie Jackson with the SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble. The bassoon takes on a mischievous, harlequin-like character amid a whirlwind of brash, quirky winds READ MORE

American Record Guide Canadian Concerto Project

Nadina, the bewitching bassoonist with the blue spiky hair, and Guy, the swashbuckling trumpeter (and pianist) with the earrings and fascinating facial hair. They stand out in the classical music world, to be sure, and they are terrific musicians with engaging personalities, too. READ MORE

Concert Review Hummel & Vivaldi

Nadina Mackie Jackson is a testament not only to Prince George, British Columbia, Canada or the world, she is a testament to the spirit and soul of music… a perfect marriage between a keen technical understanding and a truly musical, creative and artistic soul.
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AllMusic CD Bacchanale

Few and Jackson play with polished tone, immaculate intonation, and infectious high spirits; it’s obvious they’re having a blast. READ MORE

Concert Review Halifax

We understood we were in for a carnival, some marathon playing, great communication and above all, some joyous foot stomping, whether literal or actual. We were swept away from the first note… a true phenomenon as Mackie Jackson performed three Piano Sonatas by Scarlatti… READ MORE

American Record Guide Bacchanale CD

Canadian artists Nadina Mackie Jackson and Guy Few come up with a trumpet-bassoon recital by playing both Hindemith and Shostakovich works, by having a friend write a couple more, and by playing a couple of solos. READ MORE

AllMusic Review CD Vivaldi

When Canadian bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson begins to play, the logic is revealed: she and McGegan turn these concertos into pure virtuoso vehicles… READ MORE

American Record Guide CD Musica Franca

Musica Franca has taken the little-known sonatas of Boismortier and dressed them up with superb technique, great energy, and charming musicianship. READ MORE

American Record Guide CD Caliban Does Christmas

I cannot imagine a more original Christmas album than this, and it is certain to put a smile on your face.
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American Record Guide CD Romanza

…one of the most enjoyable works in the bassoon repertoire, Weber’s Andante & Rondo, Ms Mackie Jackson performs with buoyancy and lightness of step. . . rousing finish. . .cleanly articulated. . . READ MORE

American Record Guide CD Notes From Abroad

Ms. Jackson is superb here, completely secure in her wide-ranging technique, presenting these varied pieces in appropriate style. READ MORE

Barrie Examiner Concert Review

Bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson. . . dazzled a rapt Colours of Music audience. . .transported the listener in an eclectic programme ranging from Bach to modern. READ MORE

American Record Guide CD Ever After

Ms Mackie Jackson and Mr Swan have a real feeling for how this music should resound and I can’t imagine a better performance. READ MORE

Audiophile Audition CD Musica Franca Corrette

The CD is cleanly recorded and the players are superb. The music has a welcome simplicity but plenty of élan. Highest recommendation! READ MORE

Audio Society of Atlanta Vivaldi

Playing in a choice ensemble composed of Aislinn Nosky and Julia Wedman, violins; David Rose, viola; Raphael Dubé, cello; Dominic Girard, bass; Lucas Harris, lute and guitar; and with the celebrated Nicholas McGegan as director and keyboard player, Mackie Jackson’s brilliant artistry shines out like a jewel in a perfect setting. Her sound is bold and full, and she isn’t afraid of risk-taking as she takes her instrument scampering nimbly up and down scales throughout its range. Without overstating the bassoon’s capabilities, she explores them with a gleeful abandon that infects the entire group with her zestful excitement. She plays with deeply expressive feeling in the languorous slow movements. . . READ MORE

Audiophile Audition CD Romanza

. . . wonderful reading by Mackie Jackson, one of the best. . .I have always detected a bit of Italian warmth in her sound that adds great luster to the fluidity of her technique. This is a wonderfully proportioned reading that simply sparkles. Mackie Jackson’s reading meets all challenges while kicking up a lot of dust in the dizzy final pages [Weber’s Andante & Rondo], great fun and spirited playing. READ MORE

BOISMORTIER Bassoon Sonatas CDs MusicWeb International

The performances are stunning. Lussier. . . is joined by Nadina Mackie Jackson, a player . . . possessed of a particularly beautiful singing tone. These two carol together in the most utterly beguiling way. READ MORE

Review Business of Angels CD

While the ensemble that surrounds Melville is altogether excellent, special mention must be given to bassoon player Nadina Mackie Jackson. READ MORE

Canada.com Concert Review Violons du Roy

. . .proving once again that Les Violons is an alert, communicative group of musicians. Even the look of them screams vibrancy, bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson’s shock of azure-blue hair providing a kind of visual centrepiece to the small stage. READ MORE

Chamber Music Today Virtuosic Bassoon

Nadina Mackie Jackson is probably, for me, the most brilliant, shining example of an icon in this way. Humble beginnings in northern BC to chamber music wizardess. Utterly mind­blowing performances and recordings. And her rapport with her audiences! I attended one of her concerts in Ottawa a couple of years ago and, as she accepted the audience’s ovation, she triumphantly one-handedly pumps her bassoon up and down above her head-she does a trotting victory “lap” in her elegant black gown, and strides off the stage, beaming, waving. Looked like an Olympic athlete upon receiving the gold medal. The crowd went wild! They went positively wild, just as fans would do in any world-class sport. How often do you see an icon like that in classical music? How many classical artists have you ever seen evoke such a heart-pounding response in an audience?! READ MORE

Classical Music Magazine CD Caliban Quartet

Bassoonists, of course, will love this disc, but anyone else with an ear for the offbeat will also enjoy this combination of high spirits and highly expert playing. READ MORE

Vernon Morning Star Concert Review

Then came the first concerto, Vivaldi’s C Major Bassoon Concerto. Mackie Jackson is a world class bassoonist and perhaps, for the first time in our lives, made us listen to what the instrument can do. READ MORE

ClassicalNet CD Review Bacchanale

I praise the performers. Nadina Jackson plays suavely – an instrumental equivalent of Marlene Dietrich. READ MORE

Cleveland Apollo’s Fire Concert Review

The woody mellowness of the bassoons was a pleasure. . . READ MORE

Review Concert Kitchener

Although the love of the bassoon is such a huge part of Nadina Mackie Jackson’s persona, it’s ironic that her bassoon advocacy is overshadowed by her artistry, expression and overall excellent musicianship. READ MORE

OpusOne Mozart Quintet Concert Review

Andre Laplante Makes Beautiful Music with Friends at Toronto Summer Music. The playing of the ensemble at this point was so extraordinary that sometimes Laplante’s piano sounded like a wind. The second movement, introduced by bassoon and oboe in concert with piano, was perfectly sweet and mellow. . . READ MORE

Concert Review Beckwith

. . .the handsome Solo (2008), arrestingly played by bassoonist [Mackie] Jackson. . . READ MORE

Concert Review Un récital d’une beauté limpide

Mackie, au basson, sut nous charmer par simplicité et son art brillant où les difficultés techniques s’évanouissaient devant une sûreté désarmante. READ MORE

Concert Review Ian Bostridge Violons du Roy Seattle

In concert the obbligato bassoon was played exquisitely by Les Violons du Roy’s Nadina Mackie Jackson. READ MORE

Concert Review Vivaldi Concerto Okanagan Symphony

[Mackie] Jackson performed the wonderful Vivaldi Concerto [in C minor] for bassoon and orchestra, playing with a great deal of vigour and charm. Her tone was wonderful in all ranges, but was especially sweet in the upper register. She was, of course, totally at ease with the music and the instrument, worthy of her reputation as one of the world’s leading bassoonists. Her technique was impeccable in all the fast-moving parts, her legatos were outstanding, and her dynamics were superb. READ MORE

Concert Review Nadina & Guy BC Tour

People are going to be talking about this concert for a long time! These two are musicians of such skill that what they’re doing up there is virtuosic… they transported their audience to eighteenth-century Italy with the rapturous Paganini opener, and to elegant baroque French court music by de Boismortier that you’d like to have playing on your own private barge as you drift down a river through the French countryside. . . READ MORE

Double Reed Boismortier CD

I simply like the playing of Nadina better. . .😎 READ MORE

Double Reed Ever After CD

Dynamite! Bassoon virtuoso Nadina Mackie Jackson has done it again! READ MORE

Double Reed Magazine Bacchanale CD

In this breathtaking CD, consummate bassoon artist Nadina Mackie Jackson joins forces with solo trumpet artist Guy Few and the Toronto Chamber Orchestra under conductor Kevin Mallon to provide a full album of rich, new works. READ MORE

Double Reed Musica Franca CD

Holy Mackerel! Every time bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson comes out with a new CD I have to “revise” the standards by which I evaluate bassoon recordings – always to a higher standard in her case! This is one of the most delightful record­ings I have ever heard. READ MORE

Fanfare Boismortier

…full-toned and nimble… READ MORE

Fanfare Business of Angels

One must also note the bumptious presence of Nadina Mackie Jackson’s [baroque] bassoon.🥸 READ MORE

Fanfare Canadian Concerto Project CD

Only [Mackie] Jackson’s bassoon, very close to the microphone, is presented attractively. READ MORE

Fanfare Corrette CD

exceptionally talented young musicians READ MORE

Fanfare Review Vivaldi

…treat yourself to an unalloyed delight, played with breathtaking virtuosity and an irresistible verve and sparkle by Nadina Mackie Jackson. READ MORE

Globe & Mail Caliban Quartet Concert #2

…superlative playing… READ MORE

Globe & Mail Caliban Quartet Concert Review

…first-rate technique, musicality and inventive programming… READ MORE

Globe & Mail CD Bassoonatics

Caliban’s dark, chocolaty, nutty texture is a guaranteed stress chaser. READ MORE

Globe & Mail Opera Ariodante

Exquisite playing – particularly from bassoonist Nadina [Mackie] Jackson. READ MORE

Globe & Mail Opera L’isola Dishabitata

. . .bassoonist Nadina [Mackie] Jackson gave us the real thing in her solos in the symphony. . . READ MORE

Guelph RiverRun Showcase

Nadina Mackie Jackson who stole the show Tuesday. READ MORE

Grammophone Musica Franca CD

Then again, the solo bassoon playing of Nadina Mackie Jackson in the Corrette selections and Mathieu Lussier on the Boismortier disc – and their teamwork throughout – couldn’t be more refined, quicksilver or swashbuckling. READ MORE

International Double Reed Society CD Review Notes From Abroad

Oh boy! All you have to do is hear Nadina Mackie Jackson soar effortlessly but so beautifully READ MORE

International Double Reed Society CD Review Telemann

Nadina Mackie Jackson is one of Canada’s finest bassoonists. READ MORE

International Trumpet Guild CD Review Romanza

virtuosity in soloistic passages READ MORE

IonArts Concert Review Violons du Roy Kennedy Centre

with a bouncy solo for bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson. This was only the first piece of the night in which Ms. [Mackie] Jackson, with her short spiky hair (in places tinted red), bipped and bopped her way through a Baroque love of rhythm. She was the talk of many at intermission. 🙄 READ MORE

Kerry Camden Windfest Kitchener

I think Nadina must be unique as a bassoonist in that she is equally at home in Baroque, classical and jazz – she displays a phenomenal technique, a lovely sound and the playing is so expressive. READ MORE

Danny Bond CD Review

A few years ago, however, there came two recordings I enjoy even more. MSR issued one album of works by Corrette with Nadina [Mackie] Jackson… READ MORE

Montreal Gazette Concert Review Quintet

swamped by the bassoon 😬 READ MORE

Concert Review Montreal Gazette Mozart Concerto

The highlight of the evening was Nadina Mackie’s commendable solo in Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B Flat, a performance full of clean, articulately expressed phrases, well-focused notes and appropriately projected moods. READ MORE

Concert Review Mozart Concerto en français

. . .le jeu calme et sûr de la soliste Nadina Mackie. . . voici une artiste posée READ MORE

Nadina Bassoon Rockstar

Her tone and technique were incredible. READ MORE

National Post CD Ever After

[Mackie] Jackson’s intense musicality… READ MORE

Northwest Reverb Romanza CD

Her playing can be described as nothing short of saucy and supremely confident; those who love the bassoon would be hard-pressed to find more liquidity and precision of articulation. Jackson removes all doubts as to the bassoon being a born solo instrument: the Romanza contains the most delicious, heart-achingly sincere bassoon cadenza I’ve ever heard. READ MORE

Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra

a sublime Canadian soloist… Nadina Mackie Jackson READ MORE

Omniscient Mussel Concert

playing faster than I thought possible for a bassoon READ MORE

PGSO Concerti Vivaldi/Hummel

Nadina Mackie Jackson is a testament not only to Prince George. British Columbia, Canada or the world. She is a testament to the spirit and soul of music. READ MORE

BOOK REVIEW Solitary Refinement 2022 www.idrs.org

In her perfectly named book, Solitary Refinement, Nadina Mackie Jackson has created a deep resource for the modern bassoonist, offering hundreds of templates for daily practice and a wealth of entertaining challenges for all ages and abilities. READ MORE

Storytelling Winnipeg Free Press

Mackie Jackson tossed off rapid-fire runs during the short work’s first movement before displaying her gorgeous singing tone and lightly executed ornamentation READ MORE

The Record Concert

irresistible combination of extraordinary musicianship and engaging showboating READ MORE

Toronto Star Concert Woodwind Quintet

One of the most compelling chamber concerts of the year. READ MORE

Toronto Star Quintet Concert

seemingly endless cascades of notes READ MORE

Letters of Appreciation BC Tour

They were all impressed with the bassoon. READ MORE

Valdy & Nadina Burns Lake BC

Valdy & Nadina created an evening of musical wizardry that warms the heart and soul. READ MORE

Vernon Morning Star BC Tour

the very with-it Mackie Jackson and her partner in amazing musicality READ MORE

What’s On Queen Caliban Quartet CD

Four of Canada’s top bassoonists. READ MORE

WholeNote Bacchanale CD

talented Canadian tongues 😜 READ MORE

WholeNote Musica Franca CD

Tone throughout the bassoons’ register is delicious READ MORE

WholeNote CD

I was awed by the gorgeous sound Nadina produces on bassoon. READ MORE

WholeNote Musica Franca CD

. . .”funky” rhythms that solo bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson handles adeptly and with clear relish. READ MORE

Winnipeg Free Press Nadina & Guy

Mackie Jackson tossed off rapid-fire runs during the short work’s first movement before displaying her gorgeous singing tone and lightly executed ornamentation READ MORE

World Magazine Review Bacchanale CD

Seductively and shimmeringly gorgeous… READ MORE

Concert Review Violons du Roy with Bostridge at Benaroya The Seattle Times

Nadina Mackie Jackson’s unshakably solid bassoon tone added still more poignancy READ MORE

National Post Ariodante

exquisite playing – particularly from bassoonist Nadina [Mackie] Jackson READ MORE

Letter to the editor – Concert – Prince George Citizen

I was moved to tears by the beauty of this concerto. READ MORE

Product Reviews Bacchanale CD

This CD has become one of my favourites. READ MORE

The Ithaca Times

When we called, Nadina Mackie Jackson was in the middle of buying electronic equipment online for her bassoon. READ MORE