Jackson, currently Dolby's Sound Platform Director, has a spectacular audio CV. Some 40 years ago he started a PA hire company in Australia called Jands (Jackson and Storey), before selling his stake to try his luck in The States. Here he became Elvis Presley's right hand 'sound guy' before spending a number of years doing the sound for Bruce Springsteen.
But Bruce's interest in sound always extended further than mixing front of house - the foldaway mixing console he designed for Clair Bros still provokes knowing nods of appreciation. So 30-odd years ago, when Fairlight came out with the cutting edge (and expensive) CMI sampler, Bruce championed its cause in the US, taking a system around the country to in the back of his airplane. He then launched Apogee Digital in response to the 'crappy' converters he was hearing strapped to the digital multitrack tape recorders at the time. In his 'downtime' he was mixing for Barbra Streisand.
In the mid-'90s he brought the worlds of Lake, Clair Bros and eventually Dolby together, helping to create some of the most sought-after audio processors in the world today in the process.
As audio director for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, Bruce set new standards in audio production, and has been invited to design the audio for a number of high-profile events since.
"Integrate is absolutely delighted that Bruce has taken on the event's Headline role," say the organisers. "My friend George Massenburg is a hard act to follow from last year's Integrate," said Jackson, "but I'll do my best!"
Look out for Lighting&Sound International's feature on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics in the April issue of the magazine, due out soon.
(Lee Baldock)
