Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jack Curtis Dubowsky of Long Beach

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jack Curtis Dubowsky. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Jack Curtis, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I don’t want to speak for other people, but I have noticed that many people are struggling with how to resist: resist the current administration, the current assault on education, the arts, healthcare, human rights, and so on.

Ironically, people tend to be very vocal on social media. But rarely do they ask for help, rarely ask how to resist, where to show up, what to bring, what to do. Activism has regressed from “direct action” we had in ACT UP and Queer Nation, and is now armchair expertise, where everyone sees themselves as an “influencer.” Social media and influencer culture have, inadvertently perhaps, subverted activism. People are vocal yet struggling with how they themselves can affect change in a meaningful way. Of course, there are people out there doing things, but the work is often unreported or buried by the algorithm.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello readers!

I’m a composer and author. I run a music publishing company called De Stijl Music. My signature group, the Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble, performs live scores to silent film in historic theatres. We’ll be doing a live score to FW Murnau’s Nosferatu on Oct 31, 2025 at the Art Theatre in Long Beach, and Saturday November 1, 2025 at the Gardena Cinema in Gardena.

My third book, “Composing for Silent Film” (Routledge), is scheduled for release in paperback this fall.

My choral work, “Harvey Milk: A Cantata,” will be performed at the Various Voices choral festival in Brussels, Belgium in June, 2026.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
These questions are very personal and I’m not sure if I feel “powerful.”
Which I think is part of why I compose and write, because it allows me to have control over something.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I’ve had a couple people read my beads so they must have been paying attention.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
My second book, “Easy Listening and Film Scoring 1948-78,” really delves into this question of artifice versus authenticity. Authenticity is a kind of fallacy, it’s as much of a show or a put-on as is artifice. And some of the most artificial artists (think Bowie or Prince) are seen as the most genuine.

When people try to be “authentic,” they are often the most contrived (think Dylan; check out my “Mr. Jones” pisstake on Momus’ “Stars Forever” album). In the process of constructing artifice, people discover themselves and exaggerate parts of themselves in a fashion that’s ultimately revealing. (Check out Paul Stanley’s discussion of the “Star Child” in his autobiography.)

I’m not sure that I am enough of a public persona to have a carefully constructed mask (please note the YMO reference), but, yes, I would aspire to creating a compelling self-image.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Oh, I’m glad you asked. My archive is held in Special Collections at the Oviatt Library at CSUN. It hasn’t been fully catalogued yet. It is important to me that my creative work be safeguarded long term. I don’t know how it will be understood or misunderstood. But I have tried to preserve my legacy, and I love archives.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Wilfred Galila (his name is in the photo title; these are the pics with piano and conducting baton).

Book Cover: Routledge.

Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble photo at The Golem (April 11, 2025 at the Gardena Cinema): Joy

Jack in short sleeve shirt: Danica Carver

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