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Mr. Albrecht Weinberg, a survivor of Nazi atrocities, and a portion of those assembled to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Mittlebau/Dora concentration camp.  Nordhausen, Germany, April 7, 2025.

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Where I’ve Been…In late March, my companion Rhonda and I embarked on a glorious two-month journey of Germany and France.  The purpose of the trip was to take some time away (and off), and was built around Rhonda’s deep curiosity about the World War II journeys of her father, who – among his many experiences in the European theater – helped liberate a labor/concentration camp in Nordhausen, Germany in April, 1945.  Her interest in this and the relationships she has built around it led to an invitation by German dignitaries for us to attend the events commemorating the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Buchenwald, Mittlebau/Dora, and Boelcke-Kaserne camps.  It was an unforgettable three-day experience that re-acquainted us with the horrors of the past while introducing us to the grace of those present who gathered for the purpose of remembering the victims of Nazi atrocities.  She and I were among the very few Americans attending the ceremonies, which left us feeling a significant sense of honor and pride.  A great life experience was meeting the 100-year-old Mr. Albrecht Weinberg,  who, as a youngster in 1939, was sent into slave labor by the Nazis, surviving three concentration camps.  My intent is to write more about this experience – as well as other moments from my travels – in the near future.  It was a great trip, and it feels good to be home.

Regarding what’s going on at Jerry Jazz Musician…I am in the midst of reviewing the many poems submitted for the second volume of the printed anthology, Kinds of Cool, A Collection of Jazz Poetry.  (This edition will feature women poets only).  I will be reaching out to the poets who submitted their work sometime in June….I began a new series of online-only jazz poetry collections called “21 poems,” in which 21 poems will be published on the 21^st of each month.  You can view the first three editions by clicking here.  If you’d like your poetry to considered, please send your submissions to [email protected]…

Submit your ekphrastic poem! I have long wanted to publish a collection of poetry inspired by one piece of visual art. For this initial collection, I have chosen this William Gottlieb’s 1947 photograph of Thelonious Monk (with art updated by photographer Rhonda R. Dorsett).  There are no guidelines other than to write one poem and send it to [email protected] by July 1, 2025. The chosen submissions will be published soon after…Finally, the submission deadline for the 69^th Short Fiction Contest is fast approaching.  If you are interested in entering your story, do so by May 31, please.  Details can be read by clicking here…For more details concerning all of the call-outs for submissions, please click here…

Thanks for reading and participating…

Joe Maita

Editor/Publisher

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Rhonda R. Dorsett and myself with Mr. Albrecht Weinberg, a survivor of three Nazi concentration camps.  Nordhausen, Germany.  April 8, 2025

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Click for:

Information about Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry

The Sunday Poem

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

“Saharan Blues on the Seine,” Aishatu Ado’s winning story in the 68th 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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