Philadelphia Jazz Hero
Homer Jackson is director of the Philadelphia Jazz Project, and an an interdisciplinary artist with a background in curation, teaching and social service whose presents his work as installation, performance art, public art, video and audio, using mages, text, live action, audience participation and found objects to tell stories. The confluence of these activities is natural to him, derived from and feeding into his broad perspective.
“Jazz is a synthesis of everything that came before it,” he told G.W. Miller III in a profile a decade ago. “Jazz is an approach. Culture isn’t stagnant. Culture evolves.”
So it has been for Jackson since his introduction to jazz in 1980 via Temple University’s radio station WRTI, where through 199 he hosted a weekly radio program and produced a monthly magazine, enriched with artist interviews, record reviews and profiles on key musicians and musical movements, for eight years. Homer has said the experience nurtured his subsequent career as an educator and program director in community settings, typically for arts and humanities projects. He’s conducted workshops in senior centers, prisons, for schools and community organizations, with young, adult, older and intergenerational participants producing art exhibitions, albums, books, comic books and videotapes. He currently teaches in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts at Temple University.
And so as of 2020 the Philadelphia Jazz Project had distributed 5,000 checks to Philadelphia-area artists; it has topped the $4 million dollar mark in spending towards its goals to produce special events meant to “galvanize the base of jazz fans, reach new audiences and support the future of jazz by building bridges between different communities . . expand the audience, increase creative opportunities, and extend the conversation about the music.” These include in-person presentations and online collaborations involving jazz performances blending traditional styles, spoken word, and post-production media such as the video Philly Jazz Stories.
We do not do “gigs.” Think of PJP as a stimulus,” he’s written. “Our goal is to expand the audience, increase creative opportunities and to extend the conversation about the music. We do this through special events, that present a diverse and intergenerational picture of the Philadelphia Jazz communities” he’s said.
Jazz Hero Homer Jackson grew up in North Philly, has lived just a few blocks away, and is an ardent proponent of local talent. Thanks to him, the Philadelphia Jazz Project is one prime, positive stimulator of the notably healthy, ever-evolving Philly jazz scene.
