“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.
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“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.
“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
“August Blues” – a poem (for August) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
The air is humid from Redtenbacher’s bass. I ignore one layer of sweat upon my skin becoming salt crystals for mosquitoes at mid-day. An invisible cobweb through the woods off the trail veils my face. I pull away at the mesh. I’m an edible black bride.
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“Dear Nina” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
I first heard your voice singing in my dormitory room. My roommate Sheila played your song I Want Some Sugar in My Bowl. She showed me the albums that proved your deep voice was female.
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“Summer Wind” – a poem (for July) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
He smells residue of wind on wet skin
her long fingers caress his chin
she lives in the summer wind.
“June Bugs and Berries” – a poem (for June) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Hoagy Carmichael, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes June with a poem referencing the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim
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“One Morning in May” – a poem (for May) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes May with a poem devoted to Hoagy Carmichael…
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“It’s Always April in Paris” – a poem (for April) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes April with a poem welcoming the promise of Spring, a time that “breaks icy borders to free wild rivers.”
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“Charlie Parker in End of Winter” – a poem (for March) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
March winds swirl.
Frozen is the pond
where children skate.
In New York we wrap
our toes in pure white
wool blankets.
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 2025 Jazz Poetry Calendar
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Charlie Parker.
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“If You Were Julie London” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Maybe, whisper of your voice
could bring home
your far away love
before icicles begin to form.
It could be so.
“September Song” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Sometime before September ends
I will capture your love
among the flaming
fuchsia, paprika, mustard colored
leaves, blowing in wind on a journey
to somewhere close to where you are.
The Sunday Poem: “Brown Girl” by Jerrice J. Baptiste
You punched him in his chin
Jimmy not her kin
can’t let a bully
do her in.
The Sunday Poem: “That’s What I Want For Christmas” by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Each year offered
a little blue box.
Trinket from a window.
“Questions for Astrud” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Did you dream up the orange golden sun of Aruanda?
Seashells far from your mother, you would no longer need
to whisper, “Take Me to Aruanda.”
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“My Encounter” — a poem by Roodly Laurore (translated by Jerrice J. Baptiste)
A concert for lovers
Romantic space
For an eternal memory.
Well-dressed musicians
Well decorated scene.
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Each note inspires exact words
To win Ghislaine’s heart,
The beauty of my youth.
“Beautiful Human Beings” — a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Beautiful skin,
infinite shades & tones
deep black to crescent white,
golden yellow to indigenous red.
“Song of the Poplar Tree” – a poem by Jerrice Baptiste
. . “Tree”(1924) photo by Alfred Stieglitz/via Raw Pixel/CC0 1.0 Deed . . Song of the Poplar Tree The song playing always catches me off guard. My trembling fingers quicken to remove the old vinyl record. I must stop her voice from singing. Even the wispy quality carries the heavy weight. I weep. Not … Continue reading ““Song of the Poplar Tree” – a poem by Jerrice Baptiste”
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The Sunday Poem: “Jazz Within Me” by Jerrice Baptiste
. . The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work. Ms. Baptiste reads her poem at its conclusion. . . ___ . . David Dellepiane, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons . . Jazz Within Me I like Jazz playing within me. ……………….Record that never skips. Since age sixteen, … Continue reading “The Sunday Poem: “Jazz Within Me” by Jerrice Baptiste”
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“Summer Love” — a poem by Jerrice Baptiste
Blossom Dearie sings Mad About The Boy.
Her fingers quicken over black & white bars.
A young man & woman fall in love during summer.
Moon climbs up the mountain, lips quiver
during their first kiss under stars.
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“Almost Silent” — a poem by Jerrice Baptiste
She started to scat, I started to cry.
My tears taste like salt baked on my lips.
I hear her soft voice
like the river I walk to each morning.
I carry a jar to give her the river.
Poetry by Jerrice Baptiste and Moe Seager
. . photo by Tengilorg / CC BY . . While Playing A Vinyl Record Music lightens blue mood. It softens mind like feather floating towards earth, then brushes against cheek, chin and ear. Body sways with Jazz in air. A tickle on skin, sensations cradled in ears, harvesting goodness like wheat to enjoy … Continue reading “Poetry by Jerrice Baptiste and Moe Seager”
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Winter 2025 Jerry Jazz Musician Newsletter
Jerry Jazz Musician – Winter, 2025 Newsletter Information about new content published on the website Jerry Jazz Musician In This Issue Announcing the book publication of Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry Dear Readers: For several years I have published major jazz poetry collections that were solely available on the Jerry Jazz … Continue reading “Winter 2025 Jerry Jazz Musician Newsletter”
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“What one song best represents your expectations for 2025?” Readers respond…
What are your hopes, anxieties, expectations for 2025? How do you see it playing out? 50 readers respond to the question, What one song best represents your expectations for 2025?
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Nominations for the Pushcart Prize XLIX
Announcing the six writers nominated for the Pushcart Prize v. XLIX, whose work was published in Jerry Jazz Musician during 2024.
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Community Bookshelf #3
“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 – September, 2024)
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Spring/Summer, 2024 Edition
In this, the 17th major collection of jazz poetry published on Jerry Jazz Musician, 50 poets from all over the world again demonstrate the ongoing influence the music and its associated culture has on their creative lives.
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The Sunday Poem(s): 23 Poets remember their father…
. . This space on Sunday is generally reserved for a single poet to read one of their works, but this week’s issue -Father’s Day – features 23 poets who weigh in on the complexity of their relationship with their father, revealing love, warmth, regret, sorrow – and in many cases a strong connection … Continue reading “The Sunday Poem(s): 23 Poets remember their father…”
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Nominations for the Pushcart Prize XLVIII
Announcing the six writers nominated for the Pushcart Prize v. XLVIII, whose work was published in Jerry Jazz Musician during 2023.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2023 Edition
This edition features poetry chosen from hundreds of recent submissions, and from a wide range of voices known – and unknown – to readers of these collections. The work is unified by the poets’ ability to capture the abundance of jazz music, and their experience with consuming it.
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A collection of short jazz poems – Vol. 1
A collection in which over 30 poets communicate their appreciation for jazz music in poems no longer than seven lines.
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Four poets, four short jazz poems
Four poets share their appreciation for jazz in poems seven lines or fewer
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2022 Edition
A broad collection of jazz poetry authored by an impressive assemblage of regular contributors and established poets new to this publication – all of whom open their imagination and hearts to the abundant creative experience they derive from this art.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Winter, 2021 Edition
In this winter collection of diverse themes and poetic styles, 55 poets wander the musical landscape to explore their spirit and enthusiasm for jazz music, its historic figures, and the passion, sadness, humor and joy it arouses.
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Poetry in the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season, Vol. 5
In this fifth collection of poetry reflecting these times, 33 poets offer their perspectives…
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2020 Edition
. . “Clifford Brown” is a painting by Warren Goodson, a Saxapahaw, North Carolina artist whose work is driven by his appreciation for Black culture. With his gracious consent, Mr. Goodson’s art is featured throughout this collection. . . _____ . . “Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of everyone.” -Lawrence Ferlinghetti … Continue reading “A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2020 Edition”
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In This Issue
Poetry
Poetry
Publisher’s Notes
The Sunday Poem
”Angel Mouthed Promises” by Saira Viola
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.... Saira Viola reads her poem at its conclusion
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
A Letter from the Publisher
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.
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