Reuben Jackson, nationally-known poet and educator, comes to Frostburg State University to give a poetry reading on Tuesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lane University Center Atkinson Room, 201. The event is free and open to the public.
Jackson's book of poems, "Fingering the Keys," won the Columbia Book Award. His poems have appeared in such journals as "The Indiana Review," "Chelsea," "Gargoyle," "Visions," "Jazzhouse" (the Jazz Journalist Association Web site) and in eight anthologies. Jackson's poem "Haiku" has also been set to music by internationally-known jazz saxophonist/composer Steve Lacy.
Jackson's work has earned him a reputation for poetic insight, musicality and humor in exploring even the most complex and difficult emotional and political themes. His poetry is also informed by his long-standing career as a jazz researcher. For 14 years, he has worked as an archivist with the Smithsonian Institution's Duke Ellington Collection, documenting some of the most important elements in the history of American music.
Jackson teaches poetry at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Md., and is in his third year as an instructor with D.C. Writers Corps, an organization that places working writers in Washington, D.C.'s middle schools. He is a native of Augusta, Ga., who now lives in Washington, D.C.
This event is sponsored by the English Department, the Western Maryland Writers' Workshop and the Office of the Provost. For more information, contact the English Department at (301) 687-4221.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call (301) 687-4102, TDD (301) 687-7955.
