"I hope that artists continue to be more open and expressive, collaborate more, continue to learn from one another, and are never afraid to express their ideas, no matter the state of politics, war, religion, or whatever else is going on in the world."

Rich Ferguson: The Voice of…

"Music and poetry walk hand in hand."

Michael Dean Odinn Pollock: Life Is A Learning Process 

Composer, writer, poet, producer, performer and multi-artist Michael Dean Odinn Pollock has…

"Jazz and blues continue to generate a devoted following simply because it sounds good. From a poetic standpoint, the complexity really begins when we have to rationalize lyrics that we don't agree with." 

Hiram Sims: The Imag(in)e of Poetry…

"Writing is one way of documenting my actual experience—the content and sensations of my life, including my mental life, my emotional life, my physical surroundings, everything I become aware of."

Randy Roark: True sounds from a poet…

"I miss most about the Beat family was their willingness to open their houses and lives to us, the next generation’s poets. It was an inspiration to meet people who were artists and that was enough and every conversation was between poets."

Randy Roark: The Lotus of the…

"Music is essential to poetry, in terms of line, in terms of rhythm, in terms of choice." 

Mark Statman: The Winds of Poetry…

"Beat writing was to a certain extent influenced by Black music and speech patterns in the manner of its composition which could be compared to oral improvisation, a kind of lively street corner jive."

Pat Nolan: Nualláin Roadhouse Blues…

"We always attack what we fear. Reading good poems and listening to good songs can make us more gentle. Being gentle is a great strength."

Norbert Krapf: Catholic Boy Blues …

"The psychedelic era grew out of the jazz-Beat-blues energies."

Neil Oram: Highlands Notes

Neil Oram is a British musician, poet, artist and playwright, best known as the author of The Warp,…

"The Blues can cut so deep, and Jazz has that magic mixture of chaos and harmony. The Beats tried to emulate Jazz in their poems."

klipschutz: Satire & Skepticism

klipschutz (pen name of…

"Together, blues and jazz have still got the primal spark that’s missing from lots of manufactured pop and TV talent show kids."

Mama Tokus: Ragtime Confessions

Plymouth’s Blues and Soul singer Mama Tokus, aka…

"The Blues and Jazz touch deep emotionally resonant chords in anyone who is open to heart soul spirit sex. The Blues and Jazz are real vibrant life force energies."

Ron Whitehead: …

Poetry is the first language we learn. It begins with nursery rhymes, lullabies, and silly songs like“Boom, Boom, Ain’t It Great To Be Crazy.” 

Wolfgang Carstens: In Abyss of Life…

"The art world is independent from the larger world. Art is autonomous. It flows forward in unexpected ways. It should surprise its beholders."

Michael Andre: Years Skip By Like a Stone Across a Pond…

"My hope is that we develop enough courage to develop courage. To try to have, try to learn to treat each other fairly, with generosity and kindness. That’s my hope."

Dr. Maya Angelou: A Muse In Our Midst…

"Music is amused that poetry needs a month to celebrate itself.  Poetry is not amused that music is amused."

Russell Streur: When the man loves the Muse

Russell Streur is a born-again dissident…

"Living life one ‘in the moment at a time; death is just a breath away."

Hammond Guthrie: Classic of Changes 

Hammond Guthrie is a well traveled painter and author currently living in Portland,…

"When poetry and music come into being the spirit is free, released, out of it's daily prison."

David Budbill:

Rhythmic…

"Bukowski’s writing emerged from experiences similar to those of the blues musicians: work, hunger, intoxication, sex, exhaustion, sadness, loss, despair, resignation, and sometimes, for a while, the illusion of success."

Gerald Locklin:  The affirmation of the male…

"Great poets use their voices like musicians, drawing forth humor, grief, love, desire, hate, awe. Musicians have a step up with their instrument, that’s why I think some poets like to have a musician accompany them."

Catfish McDaris: The Blues of storyteller…