Overview

Steve Cannon (April 10, 1935 – July 7, 2019) was an American writer, editor and cultural organizer. Born in New Orleans, he became best known for founding the arts collective and publishing venture A Gathering of the Tribes, a New York–based project that promoted cross-cultural experimentation in literature, music and visual art. Cannon combined his own writing with a long career as a host, mentor and publisher who created space for emerging voices.

Early life and career

Cannon’s early years in the American South, and his later life in New York, shaped his perspective as a writer interested in diverse urban cultures and contemporary arts. He relocated to New York and became part of the city’s vibrant literary and avant-garde scenes, working alongside poets, musicians and visual artists. Over several decades he cultivated an inclusive platform that crossed disciplinary and cultural boundaries.

A Gathering of the Tribes: mission and activity

Cannon founded A Gathering of the Tribes as a cultural organization that combined a magazine, reading series and gallery activities. Its purpose was to publish and present experimental and diasporic art that traditional venues often overlooked. The project is remembered for its grassroots energy and for supporting community-driven events on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Work and influence

Through readings, small-press publishing and exhibitions, Cannon helped raise profiles for writers and artists from varied backgrounds. His activities included:

  • Publishing and editing a literary magazine connected with the Tribes community.
  • Organizing readings, concerts and gallery shows that mixed poetry, music and visual art.
  • Mentoring younger writers and connecting local creative scenes with wider audiences.

Later life, health and death

Later in life Cannon faced significant health challenges. He went completely blind from glaucoma, yet continued to be active as an organizer and teacher in his community. He died on July 7, 2019 at a hospital in New York City after suffering septic shock that was caused by a ruptured cyst; accounts of his passing noted both the sudden medical cause and the deep mourning within the artistic communities he helped sustain (ruptured cyst).

Legacy and notable facts

Steve Cannon is remembered less for mainstream literary prizes than for the networks and spaces he established. His legacy endures in the artists and writers who found early platforms through his work, and in the model of small-scale, community-rooted publishing and programming. He is often cited as an example of how a persistent, locally grounded cultural organizer can amplify diverse and experimental art forms.