Saturday, July 16, 2011

Jazz music, poetry to cross paths


TREAT FOR THE SENSES: The Devonport City Council marketing and promotions team gearing up for Devonport Jazz are (from left) Wendy Squibb, Geoff Dobson, Diane Williams, Maree Brodzinski and Mel Herbert. Picture: Kelly Slater.

SIT back, close your eyes and be carried away by the sound of saxophones, piano and jazz-inspired poetry entwined into a performance for the senses.

Devonport Jazz musical director Viktor Zappner has been toying with the idea of combining Australian jazz compositions with jazz- inspired poetry by Australian poets for several years. The idea will come to life in the Australian Jazz and Poetry Project held as part of Devonport Jazz.

Project coordinator Geoff Dobson said it was a courageous undertaking and would feature 16 tunes including Ade Monsbourgh's Don't Monkey With It and Graeme Bell's Czechoslavak Journey.

"Mixing poetry with jazz is not a new concept. It is a feast for the senses and will carry listeners on an emotional journey," Mr Dobson said. The poems will be read by Alwyn Lewis and by Tony Barry and will be performed by the festival's highlighted musicians.

A number of jazz writers and musicians nominated compositions by Australian jazz musicians and from this list the final 16 songs were selected. Sixty years of Australian jazz music is represented in the selection of compositions.

The Australian Jazz and Poetry Project will be performed at 2pm on July30 at the Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre.

For bookings contact the DECC on 64202900.

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