NEW HAVEN, CT—"Jazz and the Spoken Word," a rich tradition where the syncopated rhythms of jazz merge with the cadence of spoken poetry, will bring area artists together in an exciting new collaboration between Jazz Haven and The New Haven Museum on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The event is free with regular museum admission. Register here.
The art of spoken word has become an important component of Jazz Haven's mission to explore the full breadth of the culture of jazz, says organizer and drummer Jesse Hameen II.
"This format brings together poets, musicians, photographers, painters and other artists whose works are influenced by the jazz experience in America," Hameen said.
The master musicians performing that evening include Hameen on drums, Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere on bass, Will Cleary on saxophone and Darren Litzie on piano. Spoken-word artists Kate Rushin, Shaunda Holloway, Craig O'Connell, Frank Cochran and Stanley Welch will perform original works and recitations of famous jazz poetry to the swinging grooves.
The event will also include an invitation to the greater spoken-word community to participate.
Hameen says the art of spoken word has long been associated with jazz. He notes that one of the earliest and most famous examples of the spoken word and jazz is "The Weary Blues," a 1925 composition by Langston Hughes recited by the poet over jazz arrangements by Charles Mingus in 1958.
Other famous spoken-word jazz collaborations include those by Gil Scott-Heron, often called the "Godfather of Modern Rap"; Jon Hendricks, the "Poet Laureate of Jazz"; stand-up comedian Lord Buckley; poet Amiri Baraka and more.
"Spoken word is not a passive experience, but rather an active engagement between the speaker/poet and jazz musicians," Hameen says. "It may include poetry, talking voices, scat, African chanting, vocalese or other renderings that can be incorporated with jazz rhythms and improvisation."
About Jazz Haven
Since its inception in 1996, Jazz Haven has promoted the culture of jazz through collaborations with artists, organizations, schools, and other groups. The skill and passion that its board members demonstrate for the culture of jazz encourages a growing network of organizations and programs that help promote jazz education and jazz as an art form. Jazz Haven has developed a variety of programs, often in collaboration with other organizations, including master classes with visiting artists at the Neighborhood Music School; concerts featuring internationally and locally known musicians; tributes to late jazz masters; benefits for not-for-profit organizations; jazz concerts in senior centers; jazz at Long Wharf Theater, and consultation for programming and technical support of other organizations with similar missions.
About the New Haven Museum
The New Haven Museum has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history and heritage of Greater New Haven since its inception as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862.
Located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue, the museum brings more than 375 years of New Haven history to life through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and outreach.
For more information, visit http://newhavenmuseum.org or @NewHavenMuseum or call 203-562-4183.
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