Summer 2025 Jerry Jazz Musician newsletter

August 14th, 2025

Jerry Jazz Musician – Summer, 2025 Newsletter

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 writing a poem inspired by this 1947 photo of Thelonious Monk which was taken by William Gottlieb at Minton’s Playhouse, the famed New York club where the likes of Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke and others created the music that became known as bebop.

…. Gottlieb is best remembered for his classic photos of jazz musicians in the 1930’s and 1940’s. I had the privilege of meeting him in New York in the late 1990’s, and he eventually became my very first interview guest on Jerry Jazz Musician. The photo of Monk was one of several Gottlieb shot of him, and was, of course, developed in black and white.

…..Using tools available today, the American photographer and artist Rhonda R. Dorsett added her own artistic impressions to it, which is the image poets were provided for this feature. Their work follows.

…..As always, thanks to the poets (and Rhonda), and I hope you enjoy.

Joe Maita

Editor/Publisher

Read the Collection

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.
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Photo is of the gate leading into the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, Germany. By Rhonda R. Dorsett

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 by poets revealing their relationship to the music, and with the musicians who perform it.

art by Martel Chapman
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An appeal…

Dear Readers:

Jerry Jazz Musician is powered by donations from people like you. Your support helps me keep it alive and commercial free.

If you’d like to make a contribution, information regarding how to do so is found by clicking here.

For viewing my long range vision for Jerry Jazz Musician, please click here.

Thank you!

Joe Maita

Editor/Publisher

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.
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.Art by danlelone/North Beach, SF

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

The creator and longtime editor of the literary journal Brilliant Corners talks about his life in jazz, and this compilation of 14 interviews – an impressive and determined effort, and one that contributes mightily to the deepening of our understanding for the music’s past impact, and fans optimism for more.

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.

photo by Rhonda R. Dorsett

The Sunday Poem

A weekly series that includes the poet reading their work. This edition is “Ambassador” by DH Jenkins

(Nagasaki, Japan/adapted from a photo)

Essays

“Two Jazz Survivors” – a true jazz story (about a friendship with Sheila Jordan) by Bob Hecht.; “Escalator Over the Hill – Then and Now” – by Joel Lewis; “J.A. Rogers’ ‘Jazz at Home’: A Centennial Reflection on Jazz Representation Through the Lens of Stormy Weather and Everyday Life – by Jasmine M. Taylor; “Is Jazz God?” – by Allison Songbird; “Thoughts on Matthew Shipp’s Improvisational Style” – by Jim Feast

“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.

Jazz History Quiz #182

He is best known for writing “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” — which Nat Cole (pictured) made famous in 1946 — but his earliest musical success came with the song “Daddy,” recorded in 1941 by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra, which was the #1 record for eight weeks. He was also famous for being married to the glamorous singer Julie London. Who is he?

photo by William P. Gottlieb/Library of Congress

Also in this issue…

New editions of Trading Fours with Douglas Cole, David Rife’s Jazz Fiction, The Photographs of Giovanni Piesco: True Jazz Stories; and new book excerpts, poetry, In Memoriam, short fiction, memorable quotes and playlists

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photo of Art Farmer by Giovanni Piesco

Click here for the previous issue of Jerry Jazz Musician

Coming Soon to Jerry Jazz Musician

An interview with Tad Richards, author of Listening to Prestige: Chronicling Its Classic Jazz Recordings, 1949 – 1972… Also, a new Jazz History Quiz, and lots of short fiction; poetry; photography; interviews; playlists; and much more in the works…

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Jerry Jazz Musician is a non-commercial website whose mission is to explore the culture of America with jazz music as the centerpiece…For information about how you can submit your work, click here .

For information about how you can support the mission of Jerry Jazz Musician, click here.

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