When Jessica Carter Altmanlost her father, the lawyerRobert A. Altman, last year, the attorney-turned-musician channeled her pain into song.
Now, she’s ready to share the personal fruits of her labor with the world via her new single “Cherry Blossoms,” for which PEOPLE is exclusively premiering the music video.
Jessica Carter Altman.Matt Beard
In the black-and-white clip, she stands in front of the camera as cherry blossoms fall around her.
The singer-songwriter, who went to law school at Michigan, says “Cherry Blossoms” was one of the first songs she wrote after herdad died in February 2021at age 73 of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer.
“I was having a very difficult time and leaned on songwriting to help digest some of what I was feeling,” she says. “I often found myself clinging to happy memories and moments I shared with my dad. This song was born from that.”
She says that being a father “came naturally” to Altman, who also has a son, James, with Carter, 70.
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“One of his most endearing qualities was how he looked out for and cared for others,” says Carter Altman. “He is often quoted as saying, ‘family and friends are all that matter.’ He wanted me, and everyone he loved, to have a happy and fulfilling life. He encouraged me to dream and supported me in every possible way. I miss him every day.”
She adds: “It is difficult to capture what my dad means to me in only a few words. He exemplified the best of life and shared it with everyone fortunate enough to know him. He had seemingly endless wisdom, a zest for life, and the ability to connect with people instantly. But, most importantly, he was the most amazing father”
While she admits there are “obvious” notes of sadness in “Cherry Blossoms,” the star says it’s also a song about hope, and the knowledge that those who’ve lost loved ones “can always keep and carry” them with them.
Altman, a D.C. lawyer and the founder of the video game company ZeniMax, and Carter were married in 1984. The actresstold PEOPLE in Octoberthat she’s still learning what life looks like in the wake of his death.
“The next part of my life is I want to learn who I am. It’s totally frightening. I don’t know who I am without Robert,” she said. “It still gets me. I just can’t believe I’ve lost him.”
source: people.com
