Analysis
The purpose of Jazz Poetry is for poets to write about jazz in a poetic way. In Jazz Fan Looks Back Jayne Cortez does that by comparing her movements and body language to the sounds that the musical instruments make. She explains how the instruments such as a drum or saxophone are making her feel a certain way causing her to have an inner connection with the music. By connecting with the music you can tell her mood is lively and she is enjoying herself. The description of the music and the instruments causes the reader to have a relaxed tone and the reader can visualize actually being in a jazz club. |
Literary Devices
Euphuism- "Don't Blame Me is an example of euphuism. In the beginning of the poem Jayne lists some jazz artists that she did collaboration with. "Don't Blame Me" was a song that Jayne says she sang with Sarah. By using this literary device and talking about what she did with artists showcased her connections with music. It also showed how she was having a good time through singing and dancing setting the mood and tone for the poem. |
Poem
Jazz Fan Looks Back by Jayne Cortez I crisscrossed with Monk Wailed with Bud Counted every star with Stitt Sang "Don't Blame Me" with Sarah Wore a flower like Billie Screamed in the range of Dinah & scatted "How High the Moon" with Ella Fitzgerald as she blew roof off the Shrine Auditorium Jazz at the Philharmonic I cut my hair into a permanent tam Made my feet rebellious metronomes Embedded record needles in paint on paper Talked bopology talk Laughed in high-pitched saxophone phrases Became keeper of every Bird riff every Lester lick as Hawk melodicized my ear of infatuated tongues & Blakey drummed militant messages in soul of my applauding teeth & Ray hit bass notes to the last love seat in my bones I moved in triple time with Max Grooved high with Diz Perdidoed with Pettiford Flew home with Hamp Shuffled in Dexter's Deck Squatty-rooed with Peterson Dreamed a "52nd Street Theme" with Fats & scatted "Lady Be Good" with Ella Fitzgerald as she blew roof off the Shrine Auditorium Jazz at the Philharmonic |
Jazz Poetry
Jazz poetry is poetry in which the poet responds to and writes about jazz. This movement began during the 1920's in New York City. Langston Hughes, who was the first poet devoted to Jazz Poetry, started the idea. The pioneers during this time were Mina Loy, Carl Sandburg, and Hart Crane. Jazz related poetry was popularized by the Beats Generation in the 1950's, but it wasn't until the early 1990's that a deliberate effort was made by editors to make jazz poems a part of jazz poetry. Poets involved Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Jayne Cortez, Marvin Bell, and Sterling Brown. Jazz poetry can be seen as a part of other familiar movements such as the Black Arts Movement and the Harlem Renaissance.