Reuben Jackson scholarship to benefit poetry and jazz students at UDC

Back in the before times, I read poetry along with beloved DC poet, jazz archivist Reuben Jackson at a concert I co-produced with Harmonic Introductions, a DC area overtone singing ensemble. Titled “Autumn Embers,” the concert featured the venue itself as a sonic entity–Church of the Holy City’s sanctuary boasts entrancing acoustics for its “Music with the Angels” series.

Members of the ensemble improvised overtones or played sound bowls while Reuben and I read of mix of our own and other published poetry. All our voices swirled through the high ceilings of the church.

Although we read secular poetry, the experience was deeply spiritual. Performers and audience alike took a healing sound bath that afternoon along with a shower of pure light–I had specifically scheduled the event for sunset so that a golden light would beam through the stained glass windows facing west on 16th Street.

That enchanted stage was the last and only one I would share with Reuben. The pandemic put a stop to more concerts and by the time all our masks came off, one rescheduled coffee with Reuben to another had us not catching up until death caught him first.

Reuben Jackson passed away suddenly mid-February, leaving a huge hole in DC’s art community.

He was also beloved in his home-away-from-home community in Vermont. Obituaries abound in DC and Vermont for the author of “Scattered Clouds” and “Fingering the Keys,” curator of the Smithsonian’s Duke Ellington Collection, archivist of UDC’s Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives and host of WPFW’s “The Sound of Surprise.”

Oh yes, he did those things–and many more. But he was and is the big heart so many of us will cherish in memory.

The Reuben Jackson poetry and jazz scholarship fund at UDC

Reuben’s partner set up a scholarship fund on March 20 to support students at the University of the District of Columbia. In her own words:

Hello. My name is Jenae Michelle. I am Reuben Jackson’s partner. This “go fund me” exists for one reason. That is to honor the life and legacy of the extraordinary Reuben Jackson. One wonderful way to do that is by donating money to the University of the District Columbia scholarship fund for students interested in poetry and/or jazz.

If the community raises over $40,000 there will be a scholarship named in his honor. This is a way to extend his generous spirit and allow him to continue to help others. The more we contribute, the more generous the scholarship(s) can be. You can honor Reuben in lots of ways, notice the clouds (I mean, really check them out), support someone else’s dream, really listen, be kind to animals and so many other things. Wouldn’t this be a lovely way to honor him? Love, Jenae.

To donate to the the Reuben Jackson Scholarship, visit GoFundMe. But above all, don’t forget to notice the clouds.

Caption: Singers from Harmonic Introductions and poets Maria de los Angeles and Reuben Jackson. November 16, 2019 at Church of the Holy City in Washington, D.C.