Jazz Poetry

Charlie Parker (The Bird)

Lately, I’ve been reading poetry from a book of Jazz related poems. I’m a huge fan of jazz music, and one of my favorite musicians is Mr. Charlie Parker. As you can probably conclude, the poem, Charles Parker 1920-1955 (Waring Cuney) is about the bird himself.
It is about what Charles did to the blues. How he filled his saxophone with special “curly cues” and how he is now gone. But, his music is revived through John Birks, and others. It’s in remembrance of how Parker influenced jazz music.

Religion of Jazz

Jazz is My Religion(Ted Joans), is a wonderful poem that compares soul music to soulful ideas (such as religion). One of the more comical parts of the poem is when Mr. Joans gives famous musicians ecclesiastical titles. For example…
Minister Monk (Thelonius Monk)
Priest Ellington (Duke Ellington)
Reverend Dizzie Gillespie
Brother Bird (Charlie Parker)
And my favorite… “Pope John, John COLTRANE” (line 15)

Also, Ted Joans compares Harlem and soul music clubs to the commercial church. He feels that when you are moved by music, it is just like being moved by God.

The poem ends with “Hallelujah, I Love JAZZ so Hallelujah I dig JAZZ so Yeah JAZZ IS MY RELIGION” (lines31-33). I think that this ending is quite funny. In fact, I found this whole poem to be a wonderful smile instigator. It’s a great, light-hearted piece. Not one to keep you wondering about the philosophies of life, but rather just to entertain (like an upbeat piece of jazz music).