Dominican author, musician, and cultural advocate Ian Jackson has achieved a remarkable literary milestone with the simultaneous release of three new books, marking the first-ever triple publication by a single author in Dominica. This historic event underscores Jackson’s enduring contributions to the island’s cultural and literary heritage. Jackson’s artistic journey began at the age of nine with the Kiddie’s Corner Show at the Parish Hall, and he has since emerged as a versatile figure in the performing arts, excelling as a musician, songwriter, actor, and writer. He is a founding member and former president of the Dominica Writers Guild, a former leader of the RSB band, and served as president of the Dominica Calypso Association from 2000 to 2004. Despite his diverse artistic endeavors, Jackson has always prioritized writing, a passion that blossomed during his school years. As Deputy Head Boy and editor of the Clarion magazine at Dominica Grammar School, he gained recognition for his poetry, winning numerous national and regional competitions. Inspired by historian Lennox Honychurch, Jackson committed in 1980 to documenting Dominica’s cultural arts. His journalistic career includes a weekly column in the Sun newspaper, work at the Chronicle, and ongoing contributions to Vibes Radio, where he critiques and celebrates local performing arts. Jackson credits cultural icon Alwin Bully for recognizing his talent early and facilitating his participation in a fine arts program at CARIMAC in Jamaica. He also studied under Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott at the University of Miami. Jackson’s accolades include the Golden Drum Award in 2013 and the Meritorious Service Award in 2022. The three newly launched books include a biography of the late Fitzroy Williams, a prominent cultural figure who played steel pan with Jackson’s father, Ulric Jackson, Dominica’s first three-time Calypso King. The second book, *In the Still of Night*, is a collection of 69 articles celebrating and critiquing Dominican arts and culture. The third book blends poetry, short stories, and essays rooted in Dominican myths and beliefs. During the launch, Jackson urged the Ministry of Education and Culture to incorporate Dominican literary works into school curricula and proposed renaming the Arawak House of Culture in honor of the late Alwin Bully. He also paid tribute to his late mother, his daughter Janae, and the late educator Josephine Joseph, whose influence ignited his love for literature. The books are available at Jay’s Bookstore and on Amazon in English and French.
Ian Jackson launches three books chronicling four decades of Dominican arts and culture
