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.
...May 5th, 2026
connie johnson
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!
April 20th, 2026
Haiku: Musings – by Connie Johnson
Exploring segments of the world of jazz – in three suites of vivid haiku poetry…
...April 15th, 2026
Announcing the publication of Volume II of Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry
The second edition of Kinds of Cool, an Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry has just been published, and is now available for sale on Amazon.com. This edition is dedicated to publishing women poets from all over the world who share their personal passion for and relationship with jazz music, and the culture it interacts with. With a foreword by Allison Miller, one of the world’s most eminent jazz drummers.
...March 23rd, 2026
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.
...March 20th, 2026
“Bottom Line Blues” – a poem (written in the midst of our times) by Connie Johnson
. . photo via Pexels.com . Bottom Line Blues (the Remix…) what’s going on in this land gone wrong? it’s the Epstein files / war & tariffs / gas prices / ICE agents civil rights -abusing sheriffs strained international relations! DEI hire fixations / every day I dread the news on CNN music is … Continue reading ““Bottom Line Blues” – a poem (written in the midst of our times) by Connie Johnson”
...March 18th, 2026
“Ancestral Suite” – A 3-Poem Collection by Connie Johnson
The poet pays homage to three giants of mid-century post-bop jazz – Booker Ervin, Lou Donaldson, and Little Jimmy Scott
...March 3rd, 2026
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.
...February 20th, 2026
“Poetry written in the midst of our time” – Vol. 3
. . Poets within this community of writers are feeling this moment in time, and writing about it. Here is another example. If you have something you want to say about what is happening in the world and how it may be affecting you in the way of a poem, and would like to have … Continue reading ““Poetry written in the midst of our time” – Vol. 3″
...February 12th, 2026
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.
...January 26th, 2026
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.
...January 21st, 2026
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.
...December 31st, 2025
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.
...December 30th, 2025
Poems by Connie Johnson and Terrance Underwood
It happens like
clockwork with
the advent of increase
daylight expands
darkness cautiously
diminishes
December 24th, 2025
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,
...November 20th, 2025
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.
...November 17th, 2025
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.
...October 21st, 2025
Community Bookshelf #5
.“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, 2025 – September, 2025)
...September 30th, 2025
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.
...September 21st, 2025
“Still Wild” – a collection of poems by Connie Johnson
Connie Johnson’s unique and warm vernacular is the framework in which she reminds readers of the foremost contributors of jazz music, while peeling back the layers on the lesser known and of those who find themselves engaged by it, and affected by it. .I have proudly published Connie’s poems for over two years and felt the consistency and excellence of her work deserved this 15 poem showcase.
...September 2nd, 2025
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…
...August 21st, 2025
The Sunday Poem: “Nellie Mae Rowe: Of My Hand” by Connie Johnson
outsider iconography / intentional complexity
what she creates is not done privately
she demands visibility
of her hand / art by Nellie Mae Rowe!
late-in-life-revelations / self-taught creations
August 2nd, 2025
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.
...July 20th, 2025
Monk, as seen by Gottlieb, Dorsett and 16 poets – an ekphrastic poetry collection
Poets write about Thelonious Monk – inspired by William Gottlieb’s photograph and Rhonda R. Dorsett’s artistic impression of it.
...July 8th, 2025
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.
...June 21st, 2025
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”
...May 21st, 2025
“To Langston Hughes” – a poem by Connie Johnson
Father of jazz poetry
Known for your artistry
Harlem-bred pedigree
In lines designed for spoken word
Like Montage of a Dream Deferred
Collabs you did with Monk & Mingus
Were all the stuff of literary genius
May 6th, 2025
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.
...April 21st, 2025
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.
...March 21st, 2025
Protest Matters: Haiku by Connie Johnson
this America
(so rooted in Black culture)
what was Sonny’s view?
March 18th, 2025
“Should I Take the Trane?” – a poem by Connie Johnson
…or merely take Giant Steps?
I scramble! I step lightly / jump rope! / I crip walk
all the way to San Juan Capistrano because I heard
you playing sax in a dive bar in that city
February 26th, 2025
Three poems on “free” jazz (and other topics)
free jazz
the perfect soundtrack
for chaos
Eric Dolphy
.on my mind
as I swing blue
Straight Up and Down
February 5th, 2025
“Oscar” – a poem by Connie Johnson
I don’t want to stay woke
Oscar Peterson lulls me back to sleep
Sailing / swinging / meticulous
copacetic groove
January 11th, 2025
“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?
...January 2nd, 2025
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.
...December 3rd, 2024
And Here We Are: A Post-election Thanksgiving, by Connie Johnson
Tenuous
It’s probably always
been tenuous
The notion
The concept
of democracy and
how it was designed
to protect us
November 27th, 2024
“Beyond the Sun” – a poem by Connie Johnson
Nostalgia
it’s the feeling that brought us here
a bit of joy / sweet glide to a hallowed space
and Fats Navarro is already here
October 10th, 2024
“Baldwin in Istanbul” – a poem by Connie Johnson
In postcards to his sister Paula
He described what it felt like
To feel free
In America, he was
A disrupter of the peace
In a thickly-padded FBI dossier
August 2nd, 2024
Four baseball (and jazz) poems…
In which poets connect the swing of the bat with that of the bandstand…
...July 16th, 2024
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…
...July 11th, 2024
“On Coltrane: 4th of July Reflections” – a poem by Connie Johnson
Audible pain
Introspective
Like the composition he wrote called
Alabama about the 4 little girls from
Birmingham:
July 2nd, 2024
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.
...June 21st, 2024
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…”
...June 15th, 2024
Jazz…in eight poems
A myriad of styles and experiences displayed in eight thoughtful and provocative poems about jazz music…
...May 16th, 2024
“And I’m Not Even Here” – a poem by Connie Johnson
Cacophonous —
The honk, the blare of the tenor sax
And the scream! The guttural cry
Who are you, man…who are
You? “I’m nobody,” is my
Only reply
April 10th, 2024
Community Bookshelf #2
“Community Bookshelf” is a twice-yearly space where writers who have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician can share information about their recently authored books.
...March 29th, 2024
“Devotion” – a poem and 11 “Musings on Monk,” by Connie Johnson
Marginalized, itinerant
Brilliance barely compensated
You want to save them all; you
Particularly want to save him
February 22nd, 2024
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.
...February 20th, 2024
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.
...January 18th, 2024
The Sunday Poem: “Dorothy Donegan: Queen of the Keys” – by Connie Johnson
Sensational
Largely unsung
Dorothy Donegan
Known by jazz insiders as
The female Art Tatum
His protégé
The one who made him say:
“She is the only woman who can
Make me practice.”
January 14th, 2024
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.
...November 21st, 2023
A brief collection of poetry devoted to jazz…and love
Seven poets combine and art of jazz with an act of love…
...November 7th, 2023
“Sarah” – a poem by Connie Johnson
Jazz divinity
The Divine One on hot, fevered wings
That fly east of the sun and west of
The moon
November 3rd, 2023
In a Place of Dreams: Connie Johnson’s album of jazz poetry, music, and life stories
A collection of Connie Johnson’s poetry is woven among her audio readings, a personal narrative of her journey and music she considers significant to it, providing readers the chance to experience the full value of her gifts.
...October 11th, 2023
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.
...September 27th, 2023
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.
...August 22nd, 2023
A handful of jazz haiku…by Connie Johnson
The poet covers the spirit of the music, and the likes of Coltrane, Handy, and Ella…
...July 24th, 2023
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.
...July 5th, 2023
The Sunday Poem: “I Thought About You” by Connie Johnson
The poet recalls an encounter with Carmen McRae at a Hollywood shoe store
...April 30th, 2023
Thoughts on Wes Montgomery
A poem and an essay devoted to the legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery
...April 27th, 2023
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.
...April 13th, 2023
Six women poets “sing” the blues…
Poetic narratives by six women experiencing the blues.
...March 16th, 2023
“I Have Almost Everything” – a poem by Connie Johnson
The poet writes of how the desire for love can be distilled into one golden wail of a Billy Strayhorn declaration.
...January 20th, 2023
Your Support is Appreciated
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In this Issue
Poetry
Community
The Sunday Poem
The Sunday Poem: Three poems on Mother’s Day
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work...
Readings of the poems by Daniel Warren Brown, Erren Kelly, and Michael L. Newell can be heard at their conclusion.
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Short Fiction
Interview
Poetry
Community
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Poetry
Feature
Feature
Poetry
Jazz History Quiz
Feature
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Poetry
Short Fiction
Feature
Poetry
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.
Playlist
Poetry
Community
Interview
Contributing Writers
Coming Soon
Interview Archive
