This message piece was part of a series of instructional compositions written by Bruce Jackson to teach the lads music and values. It has been performed many times in churches and festivals. This recording from 2000 includes Galen (age 11) on bass guitar, Kelsey (age 14) on synthesizers, and Aaron (age 16) on set. Bruce performs on guitar and vocals.
©1997 Exis Jaxn
Browse Month
February 2016
Three Bagatelles for Double Bass Solo
This excerpt of one of the bagatelles composed by Bruce Jackson demonstrates his quasi-atonal melodic style. While not a purely 12-tone work, this disjointed melody ranging across the extreme range of the double bass offers up a less than “singable” tune typical of the genre. While it may not be the easiest piece of music to listen to, it is great fun to play! The slides and grace notes are intentional and notated in the score. The composer performed this work using the g-d-G-C Scordatura tuning. Recorded in 1990.
©1990 Bruce Jackson
Sustaining Love
Sustaining Love is typical of a series of new age message songs Bruce Jackson has composed for church worship services. The has been performed at Bethel Baptist Church and The Unity Center of Columbia. This recording from 2000 includes Galen (age 11) on bass guitar, Kelsey (age 14) on synthesizers, and Aaron (age 16) on percussion. Bruce performs on guitar and vocals.
©1998 Exis Jaxn
Current Vita
- Resume (PDF file, 48 KB)
- One-Page Resume (PDF file, 34 KB)
- Teaching History (PDF file, 35 KB)
- Philosophy of Administration (PDF file, 31 KB)
- Diversity Statement (PDF file, 14 KB)
- Entrepreneurial Experience (PDF file, 21 KB)
- Interactive Questionnaire for Potential Employers
- Introductory Questionnaire (PDF file, 90 KB)
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- Introductory Questionnaire (PDF file, 90 KB)
Professional Musical Experience
PerformancesSymphony orchestra, musical theater, jazz and popular music, church music and choral directing  Original Music Compositions
Exis Jaxn Band
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Poetry
- Selected poems from Lonesome Long Sit, Volume IV (PDF file, 103 KB)
- Tales, Politics & Religion, Volume V (PDF file, 132 KB)
Songs for ComputerPiano
ComputerPiano includes a series of multi-movement compositions exploring sequenced piano sounds with Bruce Jackson performing. The work was composed on a Pentium using Musicator Audio and an SCC-1 card. These experiments reflected Exis Jaxn’s conscious move away from dissonant compositions towards traditional harmonic progressions punctuated with seconds and chord clusters. Recorded in 1996.
© 1996 by Bruce Jackson
Septet in 12 Tone
This septet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola and double bass, composed by Bruce Jackson, is an academic study of 12-tone technique. The work was performed at Ball State University as a part of Bruce’s doctoral composition recitals. Bruce conducted the student ensemble. Recorded in 1992.
©1991 Bruce Jackson
Sam (Part 2 of 2)
(cont.) Sam includes progressions typical of Bruce’s early compositions for the family band. Many of the sounds discovered here appear on later works. This 1999 recording includes Galen (age 10) on bass guitar, Kelsey (age 13) on vibraphone, and Aaron (age 15) on percussion. Bruce sings and performs on classical guitar.
©1997 Exis Jaxn
Sam (Part 1 of 2)
One of the early works composed for the Exis Jaxn Band, this work was a memorial to one of Galen’s Sunday school friends who died suddenly of spinal meningitis. This reflective composition was an emotional project for the lads and an important teaching tool. Recorded in 1999. (Description continued on Part 2)
©1997 Exis Jaxn
Rain Forest, Version 1
Exis Jaxn has a number of compositions focusing on environmental issues. Based on an art rock format, the Rain Forest series has been reworked a number of times over the years. This recording included Galen (age 9) joining Bruce and Kelsey (age 12) on vocals. Aaron (age 14) was on percussion. Recorded in 1998.
© 1997 by Exis Jaxn
Over the Rainbow
This 1998 recording is from the band’s second recording session. This famous popular tune composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg is one of a few recordings of a 9-year-old Galen as lead vocalist of the band. Since his hands were too small to play bass in his early years, he was the lead vocalist for nearly three years. In this recording, Bruce did the bass work, Kelsey (age 12) provided synthesizer solos, and Aaron (age 14) was on percussion. Recorded in 1998.