The Sunday Poem: “Sarah Vaughan Performing” by Arya F. Jenkins

Watching Sarah Vaughan perform “Misty”
live in Sweden in ’64 must have
made some folks wonder about the failed cooling system onstage
that made her perspire so—

A sampling of jazz recordings by artists nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards – a playlist by Martin Mueller

A playlist of 14 songs by the likes of Samara Joy, Brad Mehldau, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, the Yellowjackets and other Grammy Award nominees, assembled by Martin Mueller, the former Dean of the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York.

21 jazz poems on the 21st of November, 2025

An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features poems communicating the emotional appeal of jazz music, as well as nods to the likes of Miles Davis, Regina Carter, Maynard Ferguson, Ornette Coleman, and Max Roach.

“With Barry Harris at the 11th Street Bar” – a true jazz story by Henry Blanke

The writer – a lifelong admirer of pianist Barry Harris’ music –  recalls a special experience he had with him in 2015.

Poems on Charlie “Bird” Parker (inspired by a painting by Al Summ) – an ekphrastic poetry collection

A collection of 26 poems inspired by the painting of Charlie Parker by the artist Al Summ.

The Sunday Poem: “Like Joe Zawinul” by Salvatore Difalco

Let me be free in my moment,
free of sharps, free of pricks and dicks,
free of hysterics pulling out their hair
or setting it on fire. And I want to be free
of fifteen second advertisements

“Corkscrew” – a short story by Mike Wilson

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Short Fiction Contest – is about a night when everything goes wrong and everyone is annoying, an unexpected turn of events teaches a sarcastic lawyer that the old adage is true – a cynic is just a disappointed romantic.

The Sunday Poem: “Angel Mouthed Promises” by Saira Viola

The kiss of a cymbal, a whispered SH-BOOM/
A cobalt wing -rose smoked and bruised/
Golden riffs tossed across the sea/
Angel mouthed promises
a breath of HONEY /

“Smoke Rings and Minor Things” – a short story by Jane McCarthy

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Short Fiction Contest – is a meditation on missed chances, minor keys, and the music that outlives the room it was played in.

From the Interview Archive: Travis Atria, author of Better Days Will Come Again: The Life of Arthur Briggs, Jazz Genius of Harlem, Paris, and a Nazi Prison Camp

In this 2021 interview, the author Travis Atria tells the story of trumpeter Arthur Briggs’s courage in the face of racism and hatred during World War II, when he was arrested in Paris and sent to the Nazi prison camp at St. Denis, France, where he learned to survive the daily horror of his incarceration through the strength of his spirt and the gift of his musical talent.

The Sunday Poem: “Beyond Scale” by Pamela Nocerino

Our love is a jazz trio
in last-set energy
with expanded structures
and smoky-toned fusion.

“November Affair” – a poem (for November) by Jerrice J. Baptiste

As cold settles in the atmosphere, untie the bow of my silk black robe etched with crimson leaves. Soak my skin in an ivory porcelain tub in the middle of the room. Brush my tangled hair.

In Memoriam: “Color Wheels” – a poem (for Jack DeJohnette) by Mary O’Melveny

He painted what he heard in his head
his heart ..his limitless .. timeless soul
each stage an art studio
As if Rothko or Gerhard Richter or Monet
were letting us in on their secrets
warming us as we watched

“my feminine ideal” – a poem by John Hawkins

is a Black woman, carefree, free to care,
with all the right grace notes, bundle of strength,
Amazonian, sexual, and queer
in all the senses, in all the tenses

“Alas, for My Poor Heart” – a short story by Daryl Rothman

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest – concerns art and its truest meanings—where you just might have to look twice at what the shadow and light of a piece says about that within your soul.

The Sunday Poem: “Dance Naked With Your Poems and Howl at the Lilac Moon” by Namaya

Shakespeare wooed the moonlight
love with his sonnets.

Emily Dickinson took refuge and
inspiration from her gardens.

Rumi communed with poets,
drunks, and street sweepers.

“Swing Landscape” – a poem by Kenneth Boyd

Kenneth Boyd writes poetry based on jazz paintings. “Swing Landscape” is written for a Stuart Davis painting of the same name.

Jazz History Quiz #184

Maurice Ravel (pictured) acknowledged basing his Bolero on an improvisation of this clarinetist, who was also influential in the careers of Benny Goodman and Nat Cole, who made famous this musician’s theme song, “Sweet Lorraine.” Who is he?

21 jazz poems on the 21st of October, 2025

An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features poems inspired by the late Chuck Mangione, several on other trumpeters, the blues, and nods to Monk, Ornette Coleman,  Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins.

The Sunday Poem: “hush for the sax” by j.lewis

hush.
listen to the melody
the undulating voice of pain
too wide for hands to hold
too deep for hell’s own shadows
to mute, to resist

Memorable Quotes: Elie Wiesel, on protest

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice…”

A dispatch from Portland, 2025 – and Boston, 1969

Peaceful protest is nothing new to America. It is happening every day in Portland, where I live. It is what makes our country great. And those of us who grew up in the 1960’s probably have a history of protest – some turning violent – ourselves. The poet Russell Dupont shares text and photos from his experience while photographing the October, 1969 March Against the [Vietnam] War in Boston, when plainclothes Federal officers attempted to confiscate his camera.

“MILESTONES – Poems…With Words…Without Words” by Tony Brinkley

A hybrid piece in which poems and icons (poems without words) interact. The point of departure is Miles Davis’s modal jazz from the 1950s.

“Heroics” – a short story by Michele Herman

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Short Fiction Contest – is about brothers coping with an angry father whose solution for dealing with a family crisis is to take them to a Howard Johnson’s for ice cream.

“Across the Years” – a poem by Terrance Underwood

absent from the domicile
save one
reveling in silence
‘til a choice was made
to turn ON
& tranquility became

The Sunday Poem: “Forest Flower Sunrise/Sunset” by Judith Vaughn

A black orpheus, Charles Lloyd, calls
the sun to waken, to sleep with his horn; music her very source.

She rises in the East, her radiant eyes open the dawn
light, fanfare streams across the land.

Excerpts from David Rife’s Jazz Fiction: Take Two – Vol. 16: Halloween on Mars? Or…speculative jazz fiction

A substantial number of novels and stories with jazz music as a component of the story have been published over the years, and the scholar David J. Rife has written short essay/reviews of them. In this 16th edition featuring excerpts from his outstanding literary resource, Rife writes about jazz-inflected speculative fiction stories (sci-fi, fantasy and horror)

“Apparitions” – a short story by Salvatore Difalco

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Short Fiction Contest – is about a Sicilian immigrant with an interesting history in traditional string instruments and Sicilian puppet theater.

The Sunday Poem: “Gloria’s Step” by Daniel Warren Brown

Going into my bedroom at 2 a.m. in 1970
Lost in the meditation of the
Bill Evans Sunday Vanguard trio

Obligato revelations of a trio
that transformed listening
Right before my ears

Calling All Poets...Submissions guidelines for the anthology “Black History in Poetry”

We are currently seeking poetry from writers of all backgrounds for Black History in Poetry, an anthology scheduled for publication in the Summer of 2026. The anthology will be a means of celebrating and honoring notable Black Americans by offering poetry that teems with imagery, observation, emotion, memory, testimony, insight, impact, and humanity. Our aim is to give readers a way to visualize Black history from a fresh perspective.

Interview with Tad Richards, author of Listening to Prestige: Chronicling its Classic Jazz Recordings, 1949 – 1972

Richards discusses his book – a long overdue history of Prestige Records that draws readers into stories involving its visionary founder Bob Weinstock, the classic recording sessions he assembled, and the brilliant jazz musicians whose work on Prestige helped shape the direction of post-war music.

Jimi Hendrix – in four poems

Purple Haze
was in our brains
all that summer of 68
while Jimi sang,
his hair a dark nimbus
against the shifting lights

Community Bookshelf #5

“Community Bookshelf” is a twice-yearly space where writers who have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician can share news about their recently authored books and/or recordings. This edition includes information about books published within the last six months or so (March, 2025 – September, 2025)

The Sunday Poem:“Jazz: A Partial Definition” by Laura Trigg

It’s a stew of New Orleans, Kansas City, Memphis,
St. Louis, and the little river towns in between.

There’s a peppering of marching bands, swing,
call and response, and gospel, with a mix of Latin
and Afro-Cuban flavors. Salt has been rubbed into
the wounds of its melodies

“Lester Young Cools a Village” – by Henry Blanke

On the origins of cool, and the influence (and greatness) of Lester Young.

“Bathing in Light of Sarah Vaughan” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste

My sweetheart asks me why? Why
do you keep her
in shadow of Ella, Nina, Billie?

Not a delicate purple tulip
in vase in corner of the room.
Hummingbird flutters, cobalt blue
wings to your notes of romance.

“Death of an American (Sammy’s Story)” – a short story by Tucker May

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Short Fiction Contest – is inspired by the life and death of Sam Cooke and how persistent damaging social systems lead to losses for our world – in this instance the loss of a singular musical talent.

21 jazz poems on the 21st of September, 2025

An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features several poems on the blues, a nod to West Coast Jazz, as well as reverence for the likes of Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Pat Metheny.

The Sunday Poem: “Thelonious Sphere Monk” by Russell Dupont

“What’s in a name?”
she asked,
the first
four syllables
slipping off
her tongue,

“Look Ma, No Net!” – a playlist of nonets, by Bob Hecht

In this episode of our progressive instrumentation playlists, we add a ninth instrument to the mix to form a Nonet!

Trading Fours, with Douglas Cole, No. 26: “Bougainvillea Sutra”

Trading Fours with Douglas Cole is an occasional series of the writer’s poetic interpretations of jazz recordings and film. In this edition, his inspiration comes from the guitarist John Scofield’s 2013 EmArcy  album Uberjam Deux, and specifically the track titled “Scotown.”

“Tell a Story: Mitchell and Ruff’s Army Service” – an essay by Dale Davis

The author writes about how Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff’s U.S. Army service helped them learn to understand the fusion of different musical influences that tell the story of jazz.

The Sunday Poem: “A Poem in Search of a Title” – by Terrance Underwood

Flute fragrant & pointing the way with his instrument in 1967
Herbie Mann arrives to a Village
in a sidecar
emerging from a maze of passageways with the Wailing Dervishes
steering them to the Medina
a clustered market of ancient sound

Jazz History Quiz #183

Long admired by the likes of Tom Waits (pictured), John Mayall, and the Rolling Stones, and having had his songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell, and The Who, this pianist/vocalist has long suffered from a “category” problem, once even saying; “There’s a lot of places I don’t work because they’re confused about what I do.” Who is he?

Memories of live performances in poems by Tim Maloney, Bradford Middleton and T.W. Parrish

in the nosebleed seats
of the Palais de Chaillot in Paris
long past the announced start time
fans from France, UK, US,
Germany, Scandinavia, and beyond
debate in surprisingly good English

“Trucks and Tanks” – a short story by Howard Mandel

The story – a short-listed entry in the recently concluded 69th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest – is about the incursion of military units into a placid residential American neighborhood.

The Sunday Poem: “Solo” by Rob Yedinak

Hear this sonic siege,
improvised vibrations sent
soaring through veins and
shivers as if a rift in a junkie’s
jubilee.

“Jazz Child” – a poem and a personal remembrance of Sheila Jordan, by Namaya

Jazz child
you lift us up
inspire us to
believe

holding to the
higher power
the music of
jazz and love.

“Still Wild” – a collection of poems by Connie Johnson

Connie Johnson’s unique and warm vernacular is the framework in which she reminds readers of the foremost contributors of jazz music, while peeling back the layers on the lesser known and of those who find themselves engaged by it, and affected by it.  I have proudly published Connie’s poems for over two years and felt the consistency and excellence of her work deserved this 15 poem showcase.

Memorable Quotes: Albert Einstein, on labor

“Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must…”

“Sensual Autumn” – a poem (for September) by Jerrice J. Baptiste

Under flaming
hickory trees,
abundance of acorns thump.

Our bodies lean
gently on trunk.
Hands rest on wise thick body

The Sunday Poem: “The All-Seeing Eye” by Martin Durkin

The ubiquitous eye of
God

Cloud jumping
island hopping
crossing rivers

or
separating them?

From the Interview Archive: Ornette Coleman biographer Maria Golia

In this April, 2020 interview, Ms. Golia discusses her book and the artist whose philosophy and the astounding, adventurous music he created served to continually challenge the skeptical status quo, and made him a guiding light of the artistic avant-garde throughout a career spanning seven decades.

“Stormy Weather” – a poem by Michael L. Newell

Rain’s tympani creates a cadence
of drummers transforming my roof
into a concert hall. My windows
are awash with rivers of tears. A cat

“Strange Fruit” – a short story by Stephen Jackson

The story – a short-listed entry in the 69th Short Fiction Contest – explores the transformative power of authentic art through the eyes of a young white busboy from Mississippi who witnesses Billie Holiday’s historic first performance of “Strange Fruit” at Café Society in 1939.

The Sunday Poem: “The Artists of Dutch Alley” – by Robert Alan Felt

Man, this Quarter sure does sizzle:
in the silky Delta night a gigantic palette burst,
friendly toot of brass, sweet birdsong of reed,
one-up duels of rock guitars, funky zydeco mix,

21 jazz poems on the 21st of August, 2025

An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features several poems on John Coltrane and Billie Holiday, as well as nods to Bill Evans, Chet Baker, Archie Shepp and others…

“Odes & Invocations: An Evening with Artemis” – by david eugene everard

A review of a Victoria, B.C. standing room only performance by Artemis – the all-women jazz ensemble that Downbeat readers have cited as the Best Jazz Group for the last two years – that “felt like an ode to mother nature.”

Excerpts from David Rife’s Jazz Fiction: Take Two – Vol. 15: High Spirits-Dark Laughter-Absurdity

A substantial number of novels and stories with jazz music as a component of the story have been published over the years, and the scholar David J. Rife has written short essay/reviews of them. In this 14th edition featuring excerpts from his outstanding literary resource, Rife writes about stories whose themes include High Spirits, Dark Laughter, and Absurdity

The Sunday Poem: “Down in the Attic” by Kristofer Collins

I go to the basement for the splendor
of bare dirt floor finally someone has
made order of the mess and I don’t believe
I prefer it here I can be alone with thousands

“Two Jazz Survivors” – a true jazz story by Bob Hecht

A remembrance of a personal friendship with the late Sheila Jordan, one of the most unique vocalists in jazz history.

“Portrait of Sheila Jordan” – a poem by George Kalamaras

Green tea tonight
And the smooth of your voice
Sheila
Bird was right
You could catch the perfect pitch
For me

Short Fiction Contest-winning story #69 – “My Vertical Landscape,” by Felicia A. Rivers

Touched by the stories of the Philadelphia jazz clubs of the 1960s, a graffiti artist transforms an ugly wall into something beautiful – meaningful, even.

The Sunday Poem: “Ambassador” by DH Jenkins

Coltrane was one of the first Americans
to visit Nagasaki
in a way to commiserate shared
International Pain, mixed with shame.

“Blind Willie Johnson Leaves the Solar System,” by Henry Blanke

An appreciation for Blind Willie Johnson, whose landmark 1927 – 1930 recordings influenced generations of musicians, and whose song, “Dark is the Night, Cold is the Ground,” was included on the album sent into space in 1977 as a way for extraterrestrial beings to glean something important about human culture and life on Earth.

“A Compendium for Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” by Christopher D. Sims

I hear Langston in
Your voice, brother,
Your choice to challenge
Systems of restraint, opposition,
shackles. Langston would have
been proud as you belted loud
the conditions of our people.

“Escalator Over the Hill – Then and Now” – by Joel Lewis

Remembering the essential 1971 album by Carla Bley/Paul Haines, inspired by the writer’s experience attending the New School’s recent performance of it

War. Remembrance. Walls. The High Price of Authoritarianism – by editor/publisher Joe Maita

An essay inspired by my recent experiences witnessing the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of liberation of several World War II concentration camps in Germany.

Interview with Sascha Feinstein, author of Writing Jazz: Conversations with Critics and Biographers

The collection of 14 interviews is an impressive and determined effort, one that contributes mightily to the deepening of our understanding for the music’s past impact, and fans optimism for more.

Monk, as seen by Gottlieb, Dorsett and 16 poets – an ekphrastic poetry collection

Poets write about Thelonious Monk – inspired by William Gottlieb’s photograph and Rhonda R. Dorsett’s artistic impression of it.

“Is Jazz God?” – an essay by Allison Songbird

A personal journey leads to the discovery of the importance of jazz music, and finding love for it later in life.

“J.A. Rogers’ ‘Jazz at Home’: A Centennial Reflection on Jazz Representation Through the Lens of Stormy Weather and Everyday Life – an essay by Jasmine M. Taylor

The writer opines that jazz continues to survive – 100 years after J.A. Rogers’ own essay that highlighted the artistic freedom of jazz – and has “become a fundamental core in American culture and modern Americanism; not solely because of its artistic craftsmanship, but because of the spirit that jazz music embodies.”

The Photographs of Giovanni Piesco: Art Farmer and Benny Golson

Beginning in 1990, the noted photographer Giovanni Piesco began taking backstage photographs of many of the great musicians who played in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, that city’s main jazz venue which is considered one of the finest in the world. Jerry Jazz Musician will occasionally publish portraits of jazz musicians that Giovanni has taken over the years. This edition features the May 10, 1996 photos of the tenor saxophonist, composer and arranger Benny Golson, and the February 13, 1997 photos of trumpet and flugelhorn player Art Farmer.

Creatives – “This is our time!“…A Letter from the Publisher

A call to action to take on political turmoil through the use of our creativity as a way to help our fellow citizens “pierce the mundane to find the marvelous.”