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Africana Studies Program

Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson, widely considered the “Dean of Boston Jazz Radio” hosts "Eric in the Evening" on 89.7 WGBH Radio. Photo taken in the WGBH studios in Boston.

Part-Time Lecturer

Eric Jackson is an award winning radio announcer and producer who has been on the air in Boston for 50 years. For the last 4 decades, he has hosted a jazz program on WGBH. His radio work has not been limited to jazz. He has produced a public affairs show,  hosted and programed a show featuring a variety of styles of music for several years and was the script writer and narrator for a 30 episode weekly show on the history of African American music.

Jackson has taught at both Simmons College (now University) and Wheelock College. For years he served as Visiting Lecturer at Longy School of Music.

Frequently requested as a lecturer, he has spoken at Brown University, Providence College and Leeds College of Music (U.K.) and other educational institutions. In addition, he has lectured at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and The Museum of African American History and several other museums.

Related Schools & Departments

Courses

Course catalog

  • John Coltrane and the History of Jazz in the United States

    AFAM 1135

    Studies the development and history of jazz in the United States through the life of John Coltrane, who was frequently considered one of the greatest musicians of all time. Considers his impact on the genre and mode of jazz music, including his advanced and innovative conceptions (melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic) and other stylistic contributions to African-American creative improvisation that also changed music across the globe. Emphasizes his impact on jazz and other improvisational music and expressive art forms. Also covers his spiritual legacy, which focused on using music for the improvement of humanity.

  • The African-American Experience through Music

    AFAM 1104

    Explores the various musical traditions of African Americans, with a specific focus on the United States. Examines the impact of African, European, and Native American traditions on African-American music as well as the role of music as an expression of African-American aesthetics, traditions, and life. Considers historical and contemporary forms of African-American music, with selected video presentations.

Eric ’s Colleagues

Nicole Aljoe

Professor of English and Africana Studies
Headshot of Kwamina Panford

Kwamina Panford

Emeritus Associate Professor of Cultures, Societies and Global Studies
Headshot of Nina Sylvanus

Nina Sylvanus

Associate Professor of Anthropology
Headshot of Richard Wamai

Richard Wamai

Associate Professor of Cultures, Societies and Global Studies
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Richard L. O'Bryant

Director of the John D. O'Bryant African American Institute; Research Associate of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy; Advisory Board Member, Humanities Center
Headshot of Sheila Winborne

Sheila Winborne

Teaching Professor of Religion
Margaret Burnham named Carnegie fellow

Margaret Burnham

University Distinguished Professor of Law and Affiliate Professor of Africana Studies

Tiffany Joseph

Associate Professor of Sociology and International Affairs; Graduate Program Director, Sociology
Headshot of Matt Lee

Matthew Lee

Teaching Professor of Human Services

N. Fadeke Castor

Assistant Professor of Religion and Africana Studies

Patricia Davis

Associate Professor of Communications Studies, CAMD

Ángel David Nieves

Dean’s Professor of Public and Digital Humanities and Professor of Africana Studies and History

Kabria Baumgartner

Dean’s Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies; Associate Director of Public History

Régine Michelle Jean-Charles

Director of Africana Studies, Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, and Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Layla Brown

Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology & Africana Studies