“Wild is the Wind” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
My ears bask in the deep
darkness of her voice.
Smoothness of a river rock.
Nina, goddess of the wind
visits me in daydream.
April 9th, 2026
Jerrice J. Baptiste
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
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
“Rejoicing” – a poem by Roodly Laurore (translated from French by Jerrice J. Baptiste)
Sound and colors, a phenomenal marriage.
Flows smoothly, amuses nature enthusiasts.
It tells of all the beauty and love.
Roses – red in the garden bed,
November 28th, 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
“November Affair” – a poem (for November) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
As cold settles in the atmosphere, untie the bow of my silk black robe etched with crimson leaves. Soak my skin in an ivory porcelain tub in the middle of the room.
...November 1st, 2025
“Bathing in Light of Sarah Vaughan” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
My sweetheart asks me why? Why
do you keep her
in shadow of Ella, Nina, Billie?
Not a delicate purple tulip
in vase in corner of the room.
Hummingbird flutters, cobalt blue
wings to your notes of romance.
September 24th, 2025
“Sensual Autumn” – a poem (for September) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Under flaming
hickory trees,
abundance of acorns thump.
Our bodies lean
gently on trunk.
Hands rest on wise thick body
August 31st, 2025
“August Blues” – a poem (for August) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
The air is humid from Redtenbacher’s bass. I ignore one layer of sweat upon my skin becoming salt crystals for mosquitoes at mid-day. An invisible cobweb through the woods off the trail veils my face. I pull away at the mesh. I’m an edible black bride.
...July 31st, 2025
“Summer Wind” – a poem (for July) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
He smells residue of wind on wet skin
her long fingers caress his chin
she lives in the summer wind.
July 1st, 2025
“June Bugs and Berries” – a poem (for June) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Hoagy Carmichael, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes June with a poem referencing the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim
...May 31st, 2025
“One Morning in May” – a poem (for May) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes May with a poem devoted to Hoagy Carmichael…
...May 1st, 2025
“It’s Always April in Paris” – a poem (for April) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes April with a poem welcoming the promise of Spring, a time that “breaks icy borders to free wild rivers.”
...April 1st, 2025
“Charlie Parker in End of Winter” – a poem (for March) by Jerrice J. Baptiste
March winds swirl.
Frozen is the pond
where children skate.
In New York we wrap
our toes in pure white
wool blankets.
March 1st, 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
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 2025 Jazz Poetry Calendar
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Charlie Parker.
...December 31st, 2024
“If You Were Julie London” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Maybe, whisper of your voice
could bring home
your far away love
before icicles begin to form.
It could be so.
December 11th, 2024
“September Song” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Sometime before September ends
I will capture your love
among the flaming
fuchsia, paprika, mustard colored
leaves, blowing in wind on a journey
to somewhere close to where you are.
September 27th, 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
The Sunday Poem: “Brown Girl” by Jerrice J. Baptiste
You punched him in his chin
Jimmy not her kin
can’t let a bully
do her in.
April 21st, 2024
The Sunday Poem: “That’s What I Want For Christmas” by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Each year offered
a little blue box.
Trinket from a window.
December 24th, 2023
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
“Song of the Poplar Tree” – a poem by Jerrice Baptiste
. . “Tree”(1924) photo by Alfred Stieglitz/via Raw Pixel/CC0 1.0 Deed . . Song of the Poplar Tree The song playing always catches me off guard. My trembling fingers quicken to remove the old vinyl record. I must stop her voice from singing. Even the wispy quality carries the heavy weight. I weep. Not … Continue reading ““Song of the Poplar Tree” – a poem by Jerrice Baptiste”
...October 5th, 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
“Questions for Astrud” – a poem by Jerrice J. Baptiste
Did you dream up the orange golden sun of Aruanda?
Seashells far from your mother, you would no longer need
to whisper, “Take Me to Aruanda.”
...July 27th, 2023
A collection of short jazz poems – Vol. 1
A collection in which over 30 poets communicate their appreciation for jazz music in poems no longer than seven lines.
...January 27th, 2023
Four poets, four short jazz poems
Four poets share their appreciation for jazz in poems seven lines or fewer
...January 5th, 2023
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
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In this Issue
Poetry
Community
The Sunday Poem
The Sunday Poem: “Shivers” by Howard Osborne
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work...
Howard Osborne reads his poem at its conclusion.
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Short Fiction
Interview
Poetry
Community
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Poetry
Short Fiction
Feature
Feature
Poetry
Jazz History Quiz
Feature
Poetry
Feature
Short Fiction
Poetry
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
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Community
Interview
Contributing Writers
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