“On the Screen at LTV Studios” will present a screening of “Garland Jeffreys: The King of In Between” on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. The feature-length documentary, directed and produced by Claire Jeffreys, explores the remarkable decades-long career of a genre-defying singer-songwriter whose work continues to resonate in conversations around race, identity and justice.
The film delves into Jeffreys’s 50-year journey through the American music landscape — from his early days in Greenwich Village clubs to his blend of rock, reggae, soul and R&B — and his struggles to break through in a music industry often resistant to genre fluidity and outspoken commentary on race. The film also features appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Laurie Anderson, Harvey Keitel and Graham Parker among others.
A first-time director, Claire Jeffreys wrote and produced three music videos for Garland Jeffreys. Her initial goals with the film were to have a larger audience come to appreciate him as his devoted fans already do, and to bring his body of work the recognition she’d long believed it deserved. It is her hope that people will come away with a respect not only for Garland’s hard-won success, but with a desire to embrace their own levels of achievement in any sphere, not just as artists, but as human beings.
“I’ve been Garland’s partner for more than 40 years,” she said. “Many fans and friends have told me about turning people on to his music — and can’t believe they’ve never heard of him. I decided to make this film not only to bring Garland to a wider audience, but also because it seems the world has finally caught up to his commitment to examining issues of race and social justice in his songs. He belongs in the conversation. His perseverance will inspire people everywhere.”
Garland Jeffreys occupies a unique space in American music history, blending rock, reggae, R&B, and soul into a sound that defied easy categorization. Emerging from New York City in the late 1960s and early 1970s — a time of immense cultural and political upheaval — Jeffreys crafted music that spoke to issues of race, identity and social justice with an urgency that remains relevant today.
As a biracial artist (African American and Puerto Rican heritage), Jeffreys navigated an industry that often pigeon-holed musicians based on race and genre. His 1973 solo album “Garland Jeffreys” introduced his distinct voice, but it was “Ghost Writer” (1977) that solidified his reputation as an artist of poetic depth and stylistic versatility. Songs like “Wild in the Streets” became anthems of urban rebellion, reflecting the tension and energy of New York City in the post-civil rights era.
Jeffreys, now 82, was part of a New York music scene that included Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, and Patti Smith, yet his work extended beyond traditional rock. He was one of the first American artists to fully embrace reggae, bringing its rhythms into mainstream rock years before it gained widespread popularity. His ability to fuse genres mirrored the city itself — a melting pot of cultures, sounds, and influences.
Beyond his music, Jeffreys’ career reflects broader historical shifts in American popular culture. He challenged racial and musical boundaries in an era when record labels and radio stations often resisted such cross-pollination. His commitment to themes of racial justice, immigration, and personal identity prefigured contemporary conversations about representation and inclusivity in the music industry.
Though never a household name like some of his contemporaries, Jeffreys’ influence can be traced in the work of artists who followed — those unafraid to blend sounds, speak out on social issues, and claim space in an industry that often sought to box them in. His legacy is that of a fearless innovator who used his music to bridge cultures and challenge conventions, making him an essential figure in the history of American popular music.
Tickets are $15 in advance at ltveh.org. Reserved VIP table seats are available for $35 including a drink ticket. Tickets are $20 at the door. The screening will take place at LTV Studios, 75 Industrial Road, Wainscott.
Staff Writer on Aug 28, 2025