“A Parlan Abroad” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
a namesake though no toga Roman
gone for Greece in a past time
to enter into poetic pursuits
this Horace a piano poet
spreading a keen heart
decided for Denmark in a modern time
Search Results for: terrance underwood
“Featuring Kenny Drew Philip Catherine & Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, 1977” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
Of a remaining evening’s brief persistence
Viewed from an upstairs window
Focused like a spotlight bloom
Upper trunk to first fork
“From a Lester Gig at The Final Arms Hotel” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
Brushed cymbal slide solo opens.
Nuanced walking bass lines follow.
As a deft piano right hand
Complements a chorded left
To raise a tempo garnish
For a swing invitation.
Poems by Connie Johnson and Terrance Underwood
It happens like
clockwork with
the advent of increase
daylight expands
darkness cautiously
diminishes
“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: “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
“With Ease in Mind” – poems by Terrance Underwood
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Terrance Underwood’s poetry. I am also quite jealous of his ease with words, and of his graceful way of living, which shows up in this collection of 12 poems.
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“Touched by Another’s Strayhorn” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
Orange wings spread
No flutter
A butterfly glide crosses
An outside window glance
An homage to Jimmy Giuffre (and friends) – three poems by Terrance Underwood
such Suite sounds cool
striding feels effortless
when bare feet
crosses velvet grass
and sandstone compacts
the sediment History inspires
A Poem for Valentine’s Day…”The Beauty of Love & Rain,” by Terrance Underwood
Carmen lives with me
in our poetry
of bromeliads
favorite films
comfort in a kitchen
Strayhorn & Evans
Jazz & cocktails
In Memoriam: “Departures to the Final Arms Hotel in 2024” – poetic tributes, by Terrance Underwood
2024 produced its share of losses of legendary jazz musicians. Terrance Underwood pays poetic homage to a handful who have touched his life, imagining their admittance to the Final Arms Hotel, a destination he introduces in his prelude.
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“Nocturne” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
the sound became a poem
after happening into
Kenny Burrell leading
an arranged Gil Evans
below a full moon
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“I Thought About Lou” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
notice was received at the Final Arms Hotel
stating simply
expect Lou soon
& the buzz began
Good gracious!
Big John and Grant grinned
each to the other
with Hammond & Gibson harmony
“One Day Perhaps: On Russell Malone” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
Leaving residence
At the Final Arms Hotel
For a misty boulevard stroll
Could be I see you
(Maybe on your way
To meet up with Wes
To go Bumpin’ On Sunset)
The Sunday Poem: “If Requests Are Being Taken” by Terrance Underwood
If ever
I am subjected to
Further medical exploration
& something
Identified as Bio
Is discovered
“Invariable Thelonious” – nine haikus by Terrance Underwood
Scattered discordant
Symbols woven into lines
Across blank white pages
“Perceiving the Same Notes” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
That Black Olive near the back providing shade
a steady venue for beak & feather songsters
roaming around the leaves
as if they were tables at the Club Aviary
Proceeding From Behind: A collection of poems grounded in the rhythmic, relating to the remarkable, by Terrance Underwood
A relaxed, familiar comfort emerges from the poet Terrance Underwood’s language of intellectual acuity, wit, and space – a feeling similar to one gets while listening to Monk, or Jamal, or Miles. I have long wanted to share his gifts as a poet on an expanded platform, and this 33-poem collection – woven among his audio readings, music he considers significant to his story, and brief personal comments – fulfills my desire to do so.
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Two poems by Terrance Underwood
when first he was asked
spring buds had yet to fully open
now rising out of autumn heath
that tenor sax strides deep
“Solace” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
. . Lester Young, 1946 . . Solace I relish the cultivation of my Lester afternoons an endeavor still absorbing at my age captive in that garden of ambient sound …………………that Young tenor breath ………………………….a zephyr expulsion stirring atmosphere rare these days for this climate caressing time & movement with a tone to stream still … Continue reading ““Solace” – a poem by Terrance Underwood”
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The Sunday Poem: “A Trench Coat Deserves Better” – by Terrance Underwood
The poet suggests better music could have accompanied the final scene in the film “Casablanca”
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“Ambling Towards A New Year” — a poem by Terrance Underwood
The poet brings in the new year, with the virtuoso sounds of pianist Art Tatum
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“A Neighbor Stops By” — a poem by Terrance Underwood
The poet writes of a visitor to his listening of Louis Armstrong’s “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue”
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“With Ella & Louis in the Living Room” – a poem by Terrance Underwood
The poet writes about the 1956 collaboration of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
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“Seen & Heard During The Time Of Coronavirus” — a poem by Terrance Underwood
now frequent outside
bouyant butterflies drift
through a rush of hot breeze
…………blending
with dry yellow
Black Olive leaves
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“Bud Powell Came to Me Twice Today” — a poem by Terrance Underwood
over the image of a city sidewalk
broadly peopled like in
tight dollied crane shots
topcoat thick with
jump notes coming in swarms
Musings on Ellington (and others) — in four poems
Poet musings on Ellington — and big band music, by the poets Claire Andreani, Russell duPont, Laurinda Lind and Terrance Underwood
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“August (for Four August Jazz Babies) ” – a poem (for August) by Daniel Warren Brown
August is jazz essence
Its Harvest Moon
spills across the landscape
like a languorous
Lester Young ballad
on a warm cloudless night.
21 jazz poems on the 21st of July, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician.
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Two poems…written in the midst of our times
Poets within this community of writers are feeling this moment in time, and writing about it. Here are two more examples…
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of June, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. In this edition…An eclectic mix of poetic styles and subjects display a collective love for the music and culture at the core of this creative community.
...“Remembering Sonny Rollins” – a collection of poetry
Over the years, many poems have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician that were written in reverence of the man we refer to simply as “Sonny.” In the wake of his death, many more have been written. This collection is an example.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of May, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. In this edition…An array of poetic styles communicate personal reverence for and experiences with jazz music, and its cherished musicians.
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Six poets write eight poems (in the midst of our times)
Poets within this community of writers are feeling this moment in time, and writing about it. This collection is another example.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of April, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician.
In this edition…Mix in poems on the blues with some Coltrane, Monk, Bix, Mingus, Miles, Art Farmer, King Oliver, Desmond, and Brubeck, and you have one hell-of-a lively and entertaining collection to take in. Enjoy!
21 jazz poems on the 21st of March, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features poets – several new to readers of this website – writing about their appreciation for the music, and the diversity and aesthetics of its sound. Along the way, readers will encounter poems that include the great musicians Horace Parlan, Shelly Manne, Keith Jarrett, Zoot Sims, Sun Ra, and Garland Wilson.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of February, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features poets – several new to readers of this website – writing about their appreciation for the music, how it shows up in their daily lives, and displaying their reverence for the likes of Billy Strayhorn, Joe Henderson, Ernestine Anderson, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Red Garland.
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“Poetry written in the midst of our time” – Vol. 2
what else can we do
we’re poets for god-sake
did you all
expect something different
did you all
expect a blind eye
did you all
expect a turning away
Three poems…written in the midst of our time
Poets within this community of writers are feeling this moment in time, and writing about it. Here are three examples.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of January, 2026
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features poets – several new to readers of this website – writing about their relationship with the music and its historic figures, including Chuck Mangione, John Coltrane, Barney Kessel, Count Basie, Bill Evans, Hubert Laws, and Steve Lacy.
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A 2026 jazz poetry calendar
12 individual poets contribute a jazz-themed poem dedicated to a particular month, resulting in a 2026 calendar of jazz poetry that winds through the year with a variety of poetic styles and voices who share their journeys with the music, tying it into the month they were tasked to interpret. Along the way you will encounter the likes of Sonny Stitt, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Wynton Kelly, John Coltrane, and Nina Simone.
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A collection of poetic responses to the events of 2025
Forty poets describe their experiences with the tumultuous events of 2025, resulting in a remarkable collection of work made up of writers who may differ on what inspired them to participate, but who universally share a desire for their voice to be heard amid a changing America.
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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,
...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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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Summer 2025 Jerry Jazz Musician newsletter
Jerry Jazz Musician – Summer, 2025 Newsletter Information about new content published on the website Jerry Jazz Musician In This Issue Monk, as seen by Gottlieb, Dorsett and 16 poets – an ekphrastic poetry collection Dear Readers: …..I recently invited interested poets to take part in an ekphrastic poem exercise that involved … Continue reading “Summer 2025 Jerry Jazz Musician newsletter”
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of July, 2025
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. This edition features a handful poets new to this publication, and in addition to a general reverence for the music, readers will find poems on the likes of Monk, Lester Young, Miles, and Oscar Peterson.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of June, 2025
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician.
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What is This Path – a collection of poems by Michael L. Newell
A contributor of significance to Jerry Jazz Musician, the poet Michael L. Newell shares poems he has written since being diagnosed with a concerning illness.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of May, 2025
. . An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician. Thanks to the poets…and enjoy! . . ___ . . “Diz with Bird” by Martel Chapman . ___ . Life is Jazz Life is jazz, always improvisational. Groovin’ and swingin’, low down and funky, stately … Continue reading “21 jazz poems on the 21st of May, 2025”
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of April, 2025
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician.
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21 jazz poems on the 21st of March, 2025
An ongoing series designed to share the quality of jazz poetry continuously submitted to Jerry Jazz Musician.
...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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Pianists and Poets – 13 poems devoted to the keys
…From “Fatha” Hines to Brad Mehldau, poets open themselves up to their experiences with and reverence for great jazz pianists…
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If You Want to Go to Heaven, Follow a Songbird – Mary K O’Melveny’s album of poetry and music
While consuming Mary K O’Melveny’s remarkable work in this digital album of poetry, readings and music, readers will discover that she is moved by the mastery of legendary musicians, the wings of a monarch butterfly, the climate and political crisis, the mysteries of space exploration, and by the freedom of jazz music that can lead to what she calls “the magic of the unknown.”
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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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A collection of jazz haiku, Vol. 2
The 19 poets included in this collection effectively share their reverence for jazz music and its culture with passion and brevity.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Winter, 2024 Edition
One-third of the Winter, 2024 collection of jazz poetry is made up of poets who have only come to my attention since the publication of the Summer, 2023 collection. What this says about jazz music and jazz poetry – and this community – is that the connection between the two art forms is inspirational and enduring, and that poets are finding a place for their voice within these virtual pages.
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A collection of jazz haiku
Earlier this year I invited poets to submit jazz-themed poetry that didn’t need to strictly follow the 5-7-5 syllabic structure of formal haiku, but had to at least be faithful to the spirit of it (i.e. no more than three lines, brief, expressive, emotionally insightful).
This collection, featuring 22 poets, is a good example of how much love, humor, sentimentality, reverence, joy and sorrow poets can fit into their haiku devoted to jazz.
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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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Jazz Haiku – a sampler
In anticipation of a collection of jazz haiku — to be published sometime in August, 2023 — a small sampling of the jazz haiku received so far is published here.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Spring, 2023 Edition
This is the 14th extensive collection of jazz poetry published on Jerry Jazz Musician since the fall of 2019, when the concept was initiated. Like all previous volumes, the beauty of this edition is not solely evident in the general excellence of the published works; it also rests in the hearts of the individuals from diverse backgrounds who possess a mutual desire to reveal their life experiences and interactions with the music, its character, and its culture.
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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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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Fall/Winter, 2022-23 Edition
.This collection of jazz poetry – the largest yet assembled on Jerry Jazz Musician – demonstrates how poets who are also listeners of jazz music experience and interact with the spontaneous art that arises from jazz improvisation, which often shows up in the soul and rhythm of their poetic language.
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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 — Spring, 2022 Edition
Over 60 poets from all over the world celebrate their love of jazz…in poetry.
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Three poems about three pianists
hands do talk
to me they do
& after shaking his
some years back
clasping those long digits
expecting ivory key smoothness
I was stopped short by
their cement block
& long handle roughness
A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Fall/Winter, 2021-22 Edition
Molly Larson Cook’s abstract-expressionist paintings accompany the 50 poets contributing to this collection. Her art has much in common with the poetry and music found within it; all three art forms can be described as “landscapes of the imagination,” created by artists from all over the world who are inspired in a meaningful way by jazz music, and whose work can be uniquely interpreted and appreciated (or not!) by those who consume it.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2021 Edition
“It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.”
-Herbie Hancock
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And…this spirit is not limited to the musicians, because celebrating jazz is rich in creative opportunity for writers and visual artists as well. The 54 poets who contribute to this poetry collection are living proof of that.
As always, thanks to the poets, and I hope you enjoy…
Joe
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Thelonious Monk…and five poems
He hovers,
flesh and presence,
round the story of midnight jazz….
a single note hangs, suspended
in a cigarette-whiskey haze
as ears perk open, anticipate
the pleasure of surprise
A Poetry Collection — inspired by Miles Davis
Few artists inspire creativity like Miles Davis. This collection of poetry by 50 poets from all over the world is evidence of that.
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Monk — in two poems
The poets Terrence Underwood and George Held write about the jazz pianist Thelonious Monk
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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 — Autumn, 2020 Edition
Jazz and poetry have always had a symbiotic relationship. Their creative languages share the common soil of imagination and improvisation, from which their audiences discover inspiration and spirit, and perhaps even a renewed faith in life itself.
This collection features 50 gifted poets from places as disparate as Ohio and Nepal, Estonia and Boston, Guyana and Pittsburgh, each publicly sharing their inner world reverence for the culture of jazz music.
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Poetry reflecting the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season — Vol. 4
On the cusp of an election of consequence the likes of which America hasn’t experienced for 150 years, and in the midst of continued Black Lives Matter protests and an indisputable surge of COVID, 29 poets sharing perspectives from all over the world contribute to this volume of poetry reflecting our tumultuous, unsettling era…
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Poetry reflecting the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season — Vol. 3
An invitation was extended recently to poets to submit work that reflects this time of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season. In this third volume, 33 poets contribute…
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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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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Spring, 2020 Edition
33 poets from all over the globe contribute 47 poems. Expect to read of love, loss, memoir, worship, freedom, heartbreak and hope – all collected here, in the heart of this unsettling spring.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Winter, 2020 Edition
The winter collection of poetry offers readers a look at the culture of jazz music through the imaginative writings of its 32 contributors. Within these 41 poems, writers express their deep connection to the music – and those who play it – in their own inventive and often philosophical language that communicates much, but especially love, sentiment, struggle, loss, and joy.
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A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Fall, 2019 Edition
Twenty-eight poets contribute 37 poems to the Jerry Jazz Musician Fall Poetry Collection, living proof that the energy and spirit of jazz is alive — and quite well.
(Featuring the art of Russell Dupont)
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Nominations for the Pushcart Prize L (50)
Announcing the six writers nominated for the Pushcart Prize v. L (50), whose work appeared on the web pages of Jerry Jazz Musician or within print anthologies I edited during 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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In this Issue
Poetry
The Sunday Poem
The Sunday Poem: “Seasonal Rain Reveries,” by Mary K O’Melveny
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work...
Mary K O’Melveny reads her poem at its conclusion.
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Performance
Short Fiction
Community
Poetry
Interview
Poetry
Feature
Poetry
Interview
Short Fiction
Feature
Community
Poetry
Short Fiction
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Jazz History Quiz
Poetry
Contributing Writers
Coming Soon
Interview Archive
