Cleveland-based jazz broadcaster/writer/educator Bobby Jackson passed away December 9 at the sadly premature age of 57. He’s survived by his wife Lisa-Jean Sylvia and son Xavier.
Jackson was widely known in the jazz community, both here and around the country.
He arrived in Cleveland in 1994 after working as a radio programmer in Atlanta to become music director/host/programmer at WCPN-FM/WVIZ-TV/Ideastream, his base 2009. He then went on to develop his own program, The Roots of Smooth, which was syndicated in more than two dozen markets and a website, The Jazz Mind.
At the website, he describes its goals:
“The Jazz Mind seeks to provide a platform for musicians, record companies, authors and publishers of books, educational institutions and other organizations to get their message and work in front of the jazz audience worldwide by creating content utilizing print, audio and video mediums through the internet and various other delivery systems. The Jazz Mind seeks to become a repository of content for professionals as well as lay people who seek to learn more about jazz and the business of jazz.”
Jackson also taught at many area institutions including the Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Music School Settlement. He served on the board of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and was involved with numerous other local music organizations and events including Tri-C Jazz Fest, the Lakeland Community College Jazz Fest, the Cleveland Music School Settlement and the Musical Arts Association.
He frequently guested and consulted with events and radio stations around the country and won many awards for his word. He also wrote extensively about jazz.
Jeff Tamarkin at the national jazz publication JazzTimes wrote an informative obituary memorializing Jackson.