Program to honor Bruce Jackson

Published September 20, 2012 This content is archived.

The life’s work and accomplishments of UB scholar Bruce Jackson will be honored during a special tribute titled “A Celebration of the Arts to Honor Bruce Jackson: Working in Time,” to be held from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 21 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus.

A reception in the Center for the Arts atrium will follow from 5-6 p.m.

The event, hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, is free and open to faculty, students, staff and the community.

Jackson, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of English and James Agee Professor of American Culture, is an acclaimed folklorist, ethnographer, documentary filmmaker and photographer. He has written or edited 32 books, one of which is “In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America,” in collaboration with his wife, Diane Christian, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of English.

Christian will moderate the tribute, which will feature images from Jackson’s forthcoming book, “Inside the Wire: Photographs from Texas and Arkansas Prisons,” accompanied by a soundtrack recorded in 1964 and 1966 for “Wake UP Dead Man,” Jackson’s Grammy-nominated CD.

The celebration also will feature the world premiere of “A Garland for Bruce” by David Felder, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Birge-Cary Chair in Composition, Department of Music, with a cello performance by Jonathan Golove, associate professor of music performance.

Jackson’s long-time friend, renowned documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, will deliver a brief introduction to the screening of his film “Crazy Horse” (2011).

This will be followed by an open discussion with Felder, Jackson and Wiseman.