Reuben Jackson

Reuben Jackson (October 1, 1956 – February 16, 2024) was an American poet, educator, jazz historian, and music reviewer.

Early life and education Jackson was born in Augusta, Georgia on October 1, 1956. He grew up in the Brightwood neighborhood of Northwest Washington D.C. he attended Western High School, now known as the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He learned about the college while reading The Saturday Evening Post while bored at a party. He then received a MA in library science from the University of the District of Columbia. Jackson was a mentor with The Young Writers Project, where he served on the Board since 2020. He co-hosted a radio program, The Sound of Surprise, on WPFW in Washington, D.C., alternating Sunday shows with the show's founder, Larry Appelbaum. He had suffered a stroke on February 2, hours after completing his show at WPFW.

Works

Fingering the Keys (Gut Punch Press, 1990) Scattered Clouds: New & Selected Poems (Alan Squire Publishing/Sante Fe Writer's Project, 2019) My Specific Awe and Wonder: Poems (Rootstock Publishing, 2024)