Historian, journalist, educator, author and dee-jay, Kevin J. Aylmer brings a diverse academic background to the teaching profession. Born in Dublin, Ireland, raised in Connecticut, he is a history research specialist largely focused on the American experience, particularly the 1835–1869 period, along with the ordeal of the African diaspora relative to the various cultures of Jamaica in this period. In addition to print and broadcast journalism, he has considerable expertise in concert collaborations in New England, having been instrumental in events at Boston’s Channel Club (1981–1991), Boston’s Symphony Hall, The Original House of Blues (Cambridge, 1997–2003), Harvard Divinity School (2002–2003, 2007–2008), et al.
He has taught history and English at the high school and middle school levels in Connecticut and, more recently, United States history, World history, and the History of Roxbury at Roxbury Community College (2001–present). His publishing credits include The Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, American History Illustrated, Yankee, Down East, Reggae & African Beat, Rhythm Music, The New England Galaxy, The Lesley Magazine, et al. He is currently completing a revisionist study of Jamaica’s first modern national hero, entitled Word, Sound & Power: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Marcus Garvey.
Professor Aylmer’s college teaching career has included student-oriented activities such as movie reviews, debates and discussions, world music genres, experiential field trips, and engagement with contemporary socio-political issues. His central focus remains illustrating how history has shaped our present with lessons from the past.
Journalism research trips have included field research in Jamaica, the Schomburg Center (New York City), Widener Library (Harvard University), the British Museum (London), the Cecil Sharp House (EFDS, London), the Caribbeana Collection (Boston College), and more. He has also served as world music consultant for Boston’s Channel Club (1981–1991) and the Original House of Blues (Cambridge, 1997–2003).
He has delivered lectures at Harvard University, Lesley University, Berklee College of Music, the American Studies Association, Emerson College, and other institutions, and has participated in numerous academic conferences and cultural events.
He is currently collaborating on a fifty-year review of Roxbury Community College’s educational achievements (1973–2023).
Professor Aylmer's abiding affection for world music and history was recognized in Harvard Divinity School's invitation to join a planning committee for a Roundtable Discussion on "The Politics of God: A Dialogue Among the Children of Abraham", which occurred on 23 April 2008. A subsequent invitation to Chair the Planning Committee for another academic conference sponsored by the Divinity School resulted in a two-day lecture and concert event: "Kingdom Rise, Kingdom Fall: Contemporary Currents in Caribbean Spirituality on 12 & 13 April 2003.
