“FROM NOTES TO WORDS”: JON-ERIK KELLSO, MATT MUNISTERI, SCOTT ROBINSON, PAT O’LEARY, SEAN SINGER, ANN ROWER: THE THIRD ANNUAL JAZZ AND POETRY FESTIVAL (School of Visual Arts, New York City, March 22, 2012)

Does music speak louder than words?  At the Jazz and Poetry Festival hosted by the School of Visual Arts a few weeks ago in New York City, there was no such competition — just a series of amiable statements with both sides having their say.  The musicians were the Jon-Erik Kellso Quartet (otherwise known as the EarRegulars when found on Sunday nights at The Ear Inn, 326 Spring Street, Soho, New York City): Jon-Erik on trumpet; Matt Munisteri, guitar; Scott Robinson, tenor saxophone, alto and bass taragota; Pat O’Leary, string bass).  The writers were Sean Singer and Ann Rower.   As you’ll see and hear.

The Quartet offers SOME OF THESE DAYS (with a brief foray into SHINE ON HARVEST MOON); WABASH BLUES; ‘WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS (for Bix Beiderbecke):

Here’s the conclusion of ‘WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS and I GOTTA RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES:

After an introduction by Robert Lobe, Sean Singer takes the microphone to read selections from his 2002 poetry collection DISCOGRAPHY — poems touching on John Coltrane, Ellington, Albert Ayler, Scott Joplin, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, and others:

Maryhelen Hendricks introduced the writer Ann Rower, who read a series of excerpts from her untitled novel in the form of a journal — which moved from sharply-realized anecdotes to memories of her uncle, the lyricist Leo Robin:

And the program concluded with a return to musical improvisations, as the Quartet continued the tribute to Leo Robin with THANKS FOR THE MEMORY (music by Ralph Rainger); a romping SOMEBODY STOLE MY GAL; a wistful Scott Robinson feature on another Robin-Rainger song, WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE; YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY:

And YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY, concluded:

Thanks to all the musicians and writers, to Robert Lobe and Maryhelen Hendricks — and special thanks to the Jonnybogue Video Rescue Service (“No job too small.  Baked while you sleep”).  Make a note of that.

May your happiness increase.

DON’T MISS THIS! (and it’s FREE): THE EARREGULARS AND THE POETS (Thursday, March 22, 2012, The School of visual Arts, New York City. 6-8 PM)

JAZZ AND POETRY

Thursday, March 22, 6-8 PM

A lively mix of words and notes featuring poet Sean Singer, writer Ann Rower, and jazz trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and his awe-inspiring jazz group The EarRegulars.

Sean Singer makes frequent reference to jazz and its history in his writing.  His first poetry collection Discography won the 2001 Yale Series of Younger Poets Prize.

Ann Rower, a longtime School of Visual Arts faculty member, characterizes her combination of fiction and experience as “transfiction.” Examples include Lee and Elaine (2002) and If You’re a Girl (1990).

Jon-Erik Kellso is one of world’s best jazz trumpeters and a regular on the international classic jazz festival circuit.  He has been leader on several recordings, including Blue Roof Blues: A Love Letter to New Orleans (Arbors Records, 2007).  Jon-Erik’s stellar quartet includes Scott Robinson (saxophone), Matt Munisteri (guitar) and Pat O’Leary (bass) — all of whom have substantial reputations as players, leaders, and composers.

Presented by the Humanities & Sciences Department and the Visual Arts Library

Visual Arts Theatre

School of Visual Arts

333 West 23rd Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues)

Free and open to the public.

A quiet note from the JAZZ LIVES master of ceremonies: some of my friends complain that they would like to hear The EarRegulars but find it genetically impossible to go below 14th Street in Manhattan.  Others have schedules that preclude a Sunday night jazz-hang.  Still others are watching their pence.  All those commentaries are valid and not to be made light of . . . but here’s your chance.  Free!  In Chelsea!  At a reasonable hour!  In a well-lit room!  And the most hip among us know that fine jazz and inspiring poetry have the same improvisatory roots and blossoms.

What’s holding you back? 

I thought you’d say that.  See you there!

May your happiness increase.