“A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Winter, 2021 Edition“

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In this winter collection of diverse themes and poetic styles, 55 poets wander the musical landscape to explore their spirit and enthusiasm for jazz music, its historic figures, and the passion, sadness, humor and joy it arouses.

Featuring the photography of Francis Wolff

Interview with Dave Chisholm, author of the graphic novel Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California

The author discusses his graphic novel – a lovingly told yarn that adapts one of the darker chapters of Parker’s life and incorporates some of the characters and events he encountered while in California.

(illustration of Charlie Parker by Dave Chisholm)

Poetry in the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season, Vol. 5

In this fifth collection of poetry reflecting these turbulent times, 33 poets offer their perspectives…

(painting by Cris Logan)

“Life in E Flat” — a conversation about Phil Woods, with pianist Bill Charlap and jazz journalist Ted Panken

Phil Woods was one of a kind. He had a big sound, and a personality to match it. The alto saxophonist and clarinetist, who died in 2015, had a long, remarkable jazz career, stretching from his teens to his final days just short of 84. Bob Hecht talks with pianist Bill Charlap and writer Ted Panken about Phil Woods and his autobiography, Life in E Flat

(photo of Phil Woods by Brian McMillen)

Veryl Oakland’s “Jazz in Available Light” — photos (and stories) of drummers Jo Jones, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones

In this edition of photographs and stories from Veryl Oakland’s book Jazz in Available Light, drummers Jo Jones, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones are featured

(photo of Art Blakey by Veryl Oakland)

Interview with Kevin Whitehead, author of Play the Way You Feel: The Essential Guide to Jazz Stories on Film

Kevin Whitehead, the longtime jazz critic for NPR’s Fresh Air, discusses jazz music and the movies – the “natural allies” that both grew out of existing creative traditions, and since the mid-1920’s have told stories about “child prodigies, naturals who pick up the music the first time they hear it, hard workers with a painstaking practice regimen, talented players diverted into soul-killing commercial work, and even non-improvisers taught to fake it.”

Jazz History Quiz #143

When this bandleader temporarily retired in 1936, key members of his band became the nucleus of the first Woody Herman Orchestra. Who is he?

(Photo of Woody Herman, c. 1946, by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress)

“Pressed for All Time,” Vol. 9

In this edition, producer John Koenig, saxophonist Sonny Rollins and photographer William Claxton discuss their roles in Rollins’ 1957 Contemporary Records album Way Out West with Pressed For All Time author Michael Jarrett

In the Previous Issue

Interviews with authors Ricky Riccardi (on Louis Armstrong), Will Friedwald (Nat King Cole), and a discussion about Errol Garner with Dan Morgenstern and Christian Sands; 57 creative artists from all over the world respond to the question, “What one song best represents your experience with 2020?”The “Best Of the ‘Best Of’” in 2020 jazz recordings; Poetry reflecting the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season — Vol. 4;  Short Fiction Contest-winning story #55 — “Chromesthesia” by Shannon Brady

(photo of Louis Armstrong, 1947, by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress)

Coming Soon to Jerry Jazz Musician

 A discussion on the art of accompaniment, hosted by Bob Hecht and featuring pianist Bill Charlap and his mother, the singer Sandy Stewart; also, an interview with Jeff Gold, author of Sittin’ In: Jazz Clubs of the 1940s and 1950s; an interview with Alyn Shipton, author of The Art of Jazz; a collection of jazz poetry inspired by Miles Davis; a new Jazz History Quiz; short fiction; poetry; photography and lots more in the works…
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Jerry Jazz Musician is a non-commercial website whose mission is to explore the culture of America with jazz music as the centerpiece…For news about how you can submit your work, click here. 

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