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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Laura Trigg reads her poem at its conclusion.
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“Jazz Trio” by Marsha Hammel
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Jazz: A Partial Definition
It’s a stew of New Orleans, Kansas City, Memphis,
St. Louis, and the little river towns in between.
There’s a peppering of marching bands, swing,
call and response, and gospel, with a mix of Latin
and Afro-Cuban flavors. Salt has been rubbed into
the wounds of its melodies. It is stirred constantly
like a dark gumbo roux.
It’s modal and microtonal. It’s free, it’s fused.
It’s part cotton fields and pieces of the blues.
It’s smooth, it’s cool, it’s Dixieland.
It’s bebop, hard bop, and a bit of brass bands.
It’s a recipe with many possible substitutions—
trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, drums, clarinet—
and spontaneous improvisations.
You taste it with your ears, sometimes with your eyes,
and always with your bruised but beautiful heart.
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Listen to Laura Trigg read her poem
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Laura Trigg is a retired physician currently living in Missouri and enjoying caring for her granddaughter while her parents are at work. A writer since childhood, she has had poems published in several journals, including Encore, Delta Poetry Review, Medicine and Meaning, Months to Years, and Jerry Jazz Musician.
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A native of Miami, FL, Marsha Hammel grew up in Central America and Europe, returning to the states in 1961. A prolific artist, she enjoys a wide audience for original paintings and published works in the UK, having been represented by Felix Rosenstiel’s in London since the early 90’s. During a four-decade studio practice, at least 1500 paintings have become part of private, corporate and institutional collections throughout the US and Europe. Click here to visit her website.
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Listen to the 1926 recording of Louis Armstrong and the Hot Fives performing his composition “Cornet Chop Suey,” with Johnny St. Cyr, banjo; Johnny Dodds, clarinet; Lil Armstrong, piano; and Kid Ory, trombone. [Columbia]
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Click for:
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
“My Vertical Landscape,” Felicia A. Rivers’ winning story in the 69th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999
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