The Language of Music, the Music of Language: Jazz Greats in Poetry - TODAY!

A music and poetry series, “The Language of Music, the Music of Language: Jazz Greats in Poetry,” will be held from 3 - 4 p.m. in Pack Memorial Library on Tuesdays - July 9, 16, 23, and 30. This free, four-part music and poetry class is enlightening and fun for everyone, including those with little or no experience of jazz or poetry. All are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to come to one session or to all four. No advance registration is needed.

Michael Jefry Stevens, an internationally-known jazz pianist and composer, will discuss and play the music of the jazz greats in tandem with poet Tina Barr, who will read poetry inspired by them. Over the past 40 years Stevens has released more than 80 CDs and continues to perform and conduct workshops in North America, Latin America and Europe. Barr has directed the creative writing program at Rhodes College in Memphis and has written several award-winning collections of poetry.

Each week different jazz artists and poems will be discussed:

• Tuesday, July 9 at 3 pm:  Sax and clarinet player Sidney Bechet
  Poetry by Philip Larkin and Bill Matthews
• Tuesday, July 16 at 3 pm:  Pianist Art Tatum
  Poetry by Phil Levine and Bill Matthews
• Tuesday, July 23 at 3 pm:  Sax players Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and Hank Moble
  Poetry by Cornelius Eady, Howard Hart and Bill Matthews
• Tuesday, July 30 at 3 pm:  Flute and sax player Eric Dolphy
  Poetry by Yusef Komunyakaa and Etheridge Knight

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Buncombe Libraries and will be held in the Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street, Asheville. Call 250-4700 for further information.