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Wail/Hanah Jon Taylor, by Martel Chapman
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Booker
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sweet
…/ raw
……freedom
best relayed by
Booker Ervin / laced with
the blues / structurally
sound / always abound-
ing with rhythms
of emotion.
Texas
“in the tone
within the moan”
said Cannonball.
Booker on the sax
self-taught / formid-
able! & always
underlying it:
big Blues.
powerful Blues.
Dee Da Do Blues.
this is what it means
to strut / cook! / & put
us all in a trance.
sweet
raw / & free
Booker Ervin
suited / & booted
wherever your sound is headed
That’s It! / I’m going, too.
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Listen to Connie Johnson read “Booker”
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In This Light
that speaks to the sweetness
………of hard bop & an alto sax
……………you put me in mind
……………….of Lou Donaldson
in this subtle light
on our walks at
midnight.
o we’re midnight creepin’
……………….we stay steeped in
the groovy-ness of
……………….simply being.
……………you’re my originator
my cool contemplate(r)
“stay light-footed, sweet papa”
would be my polite request.
I dig your groovy intentions
accolades too- many- to- mention
………………………………………I want to testify
………………………………………I want to signify
I want to dance upon waves that amplify!
every time you do your alligator
boogaloo.
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Listen to Connie Johnson read “In This Light”
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A Little Like Heaven
a little like Jimmy Scott
or maybe just a glimpse
it’s why you were born
to thrill / to amaze
celestial contralto
suffering as salvation
no self-pity! / no desire
to be “healed”
from what?
you weren’t broken.
your voice
feminine / “different”
a dignified rebuke to
foster homes / & yrs
spent toiling as a
busboy / ship-
ing clerk &
valet.
sabotaged by
Savoy Records
decades spent in obscurity
when you should have been
singing.
the split & clipped
syllables! / the phrasing
tempo-less / languid
hailed by Lady Day
as her favorite
songster.
Little Jimmy Scott
with a voice likened to that
of an angel / sing our souls
to Heaven as only
you can.
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Listen to Connie Johnson read “A Little Like Heaven”
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Connie Johnson has multiple Pushcart Prize nominations for poetry. A California-based writer, she has authored Everything is Distant Now (Blue Horse Press) and I Have Almost Everything (Boats Against the Current). In a Place of Dreams, her digital chapbook (containing audio readings/personal narrative), was published by Jerry Jazz Musician. Click here to view it.
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Martel Chapman found artistic inspiration in Francis Wolff’s cover photograph of John Coltrane’s Blue Train album, and has been creating art honoring the artistic geniuses of jazz music ever since.
Click here to visit his website
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Listen to the 1960 recording of Booker Ervin performing his composition “Dee Da Do,” with Ervin (tenor saxophone); Richard Williams (trumpet); Horace Parlan (piano); George Tucker (bass); and Dannie Richmond (drums). [Universal Music Group]
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Listen to the 1958 recording of Lou Donaldson performing his composition “Blues Walk,” with Donaldson (alto saxophone); Herman Foster (piano); Peck Morrison (bass); Dave Bailey (drums); and Ray Barretto (congas). [Universal Music Group]
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Listen to the 1955 recording of Jimmy Scott performing the Richard Whiting/ Walter Bullock composition “When Did You Leave Heaven?” with Scott (vocals); Budd Johnson (tenor saxophone); Mundell Lowe (guitar); Charles Mingus (bass); Howard Biggs (piano); Rudy Nichols (drums). [Universal Music Group]
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Click for:
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
War. Remembrance. Walls. The High Price of Authoritarianism – by editor/publisher Joe Maita
“The Sound of Becoming,” J.C. Michaels’ winning story in the 70th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999
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