Two poems for Miles Davis
Cool, cool, ineffably cool,
his trumpet grieves with
a restraint barely able to be
embraced by listeners, his music
is pain on ice, whiskey frozen
June 4th, 2026
jazz poetry collection
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.
...May 21st, 2026
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
“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
Memories of live performances in poems by Tim Maloney, Bradford Middleton and T.W. Parrish
in the nosebleed seats
of the Palais de Chaillot in Paris
long past the announced start time
fans from France, UK, US,
Germany, Scandinavia, and beyond
debate in surprisingly good English
the relative merits of
Sketches of Spain versus
Filles de Kilimanjaro
and Birth of the Cool
September 10th, 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 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
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
Announcing the book publication of Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry
The first Jerry Jazz Musician poetry anthology published in book form includes 90 poems by 47 poets from all over the world, and features the brilliant artwork of Marsha Hammel and a foreword by Jack Kerouac’s musical collaborator David Amram. The collection is “interactive” (and quite unique) because it invites readers – through the use of QR codes printed on many of the book’s pages – to link to selected readings by the poets themselves, as well as to historic audio and video recordings (via YouTube) relevant to many of the poems, offering a holistic experience with the culture of jazz.
...January 10th, 2025
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
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
Six poets, six poems on Bill Evans
A poetic appreciation for the work of the legendary pianist
...October 21st, 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 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.
...December 16th, 2022
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.
...August 14th, 2022
A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Summer, 2021 Edition
“It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.”
-Herbie Hancock
.
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
...August 19th, 2021
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In this Issue
Poetry
The Sunday Poem
The Sunday Poem: “in the courtyard” by deb Ewing
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work...
deb Ewing reads her poem at its conclusion.
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Interview
Poetry
Short Fiction
Interview
Poetry
Community
Poetry
Short Fiction
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Poetry
Short Fiction
Feature
Feature
Poetry
Jazz History Quiz
Feature
Feature
Poetry
Feature
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.
Interview
Contributing Writers
Coming Soon
Interview Archive
