Media Meditation #2: Music and Lyrics Redefined

My Creative Writing professor, Jim Ellefson, recently hosted an event called the PoJazz. This event is an incorporation of fellow Champlain students reading their poetry accompanied by a jazz band. It took place at the Red Square Bar and Restaurant located on Church Street in the heart of downtown on Friday, September 24th.

The above image shows the audience of the event enjoying the show. Professor Jim Ellefson on far left. (photo credit: picasaweb.google.com)

What stuck me the most in this media experience was the principle of pacing that the bands music had. Before each poet's performance, the poet would converse with the band and explain to them the emotion they were trying to relay with the poem, as well as the mood and style that was going along with it. So with each performance, the band would exemplify the poem's meaning by accompanying it with a light jazzy instrumental behind it.

Jazz, defined as "an improvisational and mostly instrumental musical form" is able to take in a "diverse body of musical styles." (page 180) Because of this, jazz works so well to accompany poetry. Jazz music in this aspect, is a comprehensive symbol which supports and anecdotes the poet's work.

As overall an appreciated experience, I left the PoJazz with a new outlook on both jazz music and poetry. The combination of the two let good energy float within the crowd and I was left with a positive imprint by the two.