Growing up
I knew every beat
of my favorite songs.
I sang in the shower, in the car,
full throat, no surprises.
Live concerts were a chance
to sing along — same rhythm, same notes.
Last night
The Bad Plus,
a jazz quartet of infinite skill
charted a new map,
an ever-changing landscape,
keeping listeners on their toes,
enraptured.
I grew to love jazz
when I married.
My husband, a drummer in his youth,
played record after record
on Sunday mornings
as we drank coffee, read the paper.
Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Nina Simone,
Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane —
brilliant artists
who I will never see in person.
But,
the jazz scene is alive and well.
Ravi Coltrane, the Marsalis family,
Gregory Porter, Kandace Springs,
Kenny Garrett, Jon Batiste,
Diana Krall, Marcus Miller,
Esperanza Spalding, Christian McBride,
the list goes on.
If you can,
head to a jazz club.
Whether local group or living legend,
you will never hear the same thing twice.
Jazz
is invention every night.
The drummer pounds a solo
out of metal and skin.
A saxophonist reaches the peak
of the scale before descending
to buttery low notes.
The bass
reminds your heart
it is the essential rhythm.
Yesterday,
my husband got off a plane,
hurried to change,
and we sailed through the night
on an ocean of rolling notes.
A Reading Life 
What a lovely invitation and tribute to the form! I haven’t thought about jazz in a long while but your poem really does capture the mystery and magic of it.
“Whether local group or living legend,
you will never hear the same thing twice.”
Thank you for this spot of inspiration!
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I love this poem. It is so persuasive! I need to make a date with my husband. I especially like the ending…off the plane, changed clothes and off to enjoy the music. You are a cool couple!
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Stunning poem. I’ve read it twice and once again aloud to my husband! Similarly, I began to appreciate jazz more when I married Kyle ten years ago. We also loved to listen while drinking coffee and reading! 😊 Recently, I’ve become obsessed with Latin Jazz. It’s amazing!! Thank you for this beautiful slice today.
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I love this poem! I played upright bass from high school until about 12 years ago and Esperanza Spalding and Christian McBride are so wonderful. Thanks for the reminder to listen to more jazz. Sunday mornings are perfect for it!
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Didn’t mean for my comment to be anonymous. 🤦♀️
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Your poem is so evocative of jazz. And your appreciation and love of the music shines through.
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A stunning poem. “Improvisation” is one of my most favorites to-date, and I think I’ve read most of your poetic posts.
“Jazz
is invention every night.
The drummer pounds a solo
out of metal and skin.
A saxophonist reaches the peak
of the scale before descending
to buttery low notes.
The bass
reminds your heart
it is the essential rhythm.”
Every line is genius. I’m ready to have a slice of Coltrane with our dinner tonight!
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“invention every night” – so true, and one of the great things about jazz! You never know what you’re about to hear next.
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Do you know I was never a jazz fan, but in the past year I find myself pulling up jazz cafe music to listen to when I’m writing or doing something at the computer. I’m listening now-Beach cafe jazz. 🙂 Now, I need to get to some live performances.
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