.

.

Bloom photograph studio, Chicago, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Jelly Roll Morton, 1927

.

___

.

Jelly Roll Morton

On my birthday in 1917, Jazz
was first recorded.

The time of Jelly Roll Morton was at
hand—the king of Blues,

The king of Jazz
blessing the dreams of angels
to pass

from vinyl to needle,
dancing cheek to cheek
a new sway being born.

.

by David Sweet

.

___

.

Jelly Roll Morton

He rubbed shoulders
with piano professors,
those pool-hustling
years playing hard
New Orleans’
sporting houses,
he knew back then
all about the break and riff;
released jazz rhythms
free as fine doves
above Black America,
hearing the scope
beating evenly inside
a left-handed pulse.

.

by Byron Beynon

.

.

___

.

.

David Sweet is a poet, author, entrepreneur, executive coach, and runaholic. His poetry includes the books, Pop Rocks and Split Infinity Forward. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, he has called Tokyo, Japan home for the last 20 years where lives with his wife, sons, fish, and running shoes. He can be found www.drdavidsweet.com and can be reached via email at [email protected]

.

.

___

.

.

Byron Beynon coordinated Wales’ contribution to the anthology Fifty Strong (Heinemann). His poems and essays have featured in several publications including Agenda, The Independent, Wasafiri, The London Magazine, Poetry Ireland and the human rights anthology In Protest (University of London and Keats House Poets). He is the author of 11 collections of poetry including The Echoing Coastline (Agenda Editions). He lives in Swansea, Wales.

.

.

Listen to the 1926 recording of Jelly Roll Morton playing “Doctor Jazz”

.

.

Click here to learn how to submit your poetry

.

.

.