Publisher’s Notes…a 3-dot update

December 1st, 2023

The original Jerry Jazz Musician logo, created in 1997 by artist Judd Guitteau – from a concept by website founder Joe Maita

___

Greetings folks…

…..Time for a “three-dot” post-Thanksgiving “check in”…I hope you had a wonderful holiday during these challenging times. I have much to be grateful for, not the least of which is this community of readers and writers who keep me energized to “keep going.” Unsurprisingly, during this time of gratitude for abundance, I ate too much, too often, causing too much sleep, too many hikes in beautiful Pacific Northwest weather, and too many reasons not to work, which means I have fallen behind on a few publishing dates. For example, the Short Fiction Contest winning-story may not be published until December 20, and while I had hopes of publishing the Fall/Winter Jazz Poetry Collection in December, it is more likely to be early-to-mid January. All subject to change, but that appears to be the new schedule. The second collection of jazz haiku remains on track for a February or March publication date. If you are interested in submitting your haiku, please do so by January 15, 2024…Also, in March I plan to publish a second edition of “Community Bookshelf,” which is a twice-yearly space where writers who have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician can share news about their recently authored books. Click here if you’d like to view the first edition, and send me information about your book by March 1, 2024 if you’d like to be included in the March edition.

…..Some things recently published I would like to point you to…In October I published an album (or “digital chapbook”) of the poet Connie Johnson’s work. She is a sensational poet who deserves attention. Her collection, “In a Place of Dreams” (which includes her poetry as well as music, poetry readings and a personal narrative), can be viewed by clicking here…Six writers whose work has appeared on Jerry Jazz Musician in 2023 have been nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize literary award. You can learn who the writers are and link to their work by clicking here…A piece to bring a smile to the face of anyone who has worked in a record store will enjoy Joel Lewis’ memoir, “Well You Needn’t: My Life as a Jazz Fan.” Click here to read it (and to chuckle)…Finally, do check out my interview with Brent Hayes Edwards, co-author (with Henry Threadgill) of Threadgill’s sensational autobiography, Easily Slip Into Another World: A Life in Music. This book is for anyone interested in the process of making creative music, 20^th century American history (particularly Vietnam and the civil rights era), and who enjoys brilliant storytelling. This book is a notable achievement. Click here to read the interview.

…..Some upcoming things of note…On December 5, look for my interview with Judith Tick, author of Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song, which is an outstanding biography that reclaims Ella as a major American artist and modernist innovator. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. To reaquaint yourself with her music, Ms. Tick recently put together a playlist of recommended tunes by Ella that she calls “A Baker’s Dozen Playlist of Ella Fitzgerald Specialties from Five Decades.” Click here if you’d like to check out these 13 tracks (and films)…Another interview in the works is contributing writer Bob Hecht’s conversation with Gary Carner, author of Pepper Adams: Saxophone Trailblazer.

…..Finally, I have decided to take a swing at hosting jazz salons on Zoom. The first will be somewhat of a trial (likely in late January), to include interested poets who would like to share their work with other writers in the community. Specific details will be sent to poets in the next week or two. Other events (book clubs, author interviews, etc) are also being considered.

…..I do appreciate reader interest in all the work being published on Jerry Jazz Musician, and hope you understand that this does not come without some (at times) significant personal costs. My intent is to keep this publication commercial-free, with no ads for toenail fungus ointments or fast-food restaurant coupons indiscriminately popping up. This is a site devoted to music, history, literature, art, and the community creating it, and that is where the focus will always be. With that in mind, if Jerry Jazz Musician has had a positive impact on your life, if you enjoy it and learn from it, and if you share my desire to see it expand into an even more rewarding experience, I respectfully request that you please consider making a one-time or ongoing donation. Your support can help make a significant impact on the future of Jerry Jazz Musician. I ask that you click here for more details concerning this.

Thanks you for reading, and sincere best wishes to friends and family for health and happiness during this holiday season, and beyond.

Joe Maita

Editor/Publisher

Listen to the 1936 recording of Chick Webb and His Orchestra (featuring Ella Fitzgerald) performing “Sing Me a Swing Song (And Let Me Dance)” [Universal Music Group]