Poetry, music, many muses -- Parker, Kerouac, Snyder, Amram, Creeley
Click to viewThis entire weekend -- and the next few days -- will be filled with poetry, jazz and memories from Be Bop and the Beats, the San Francisco Renaissance, and cool from east and west coast.
Jeff Robinson, saxophonist, playwright, actor, director and band leader is performing "Live Bird," his one-man show about Charlie Parker, Friday, March 12, 8 p.m. at the Cambridge Multicultural Art Center in Cambridge, Mass.
It's a blue note, to be sure -- Parker died this day, 55 years ago, at only 34 years of age.
His death date is the same as the birth day of Jack Kerouac, born March 12, 1922. Kerouac also died much too young, at 47, and who was greatly inspired by Parker's music -- whose rhythms and improvisations can be heard in Kerouac's language.
I was proud to serve on the board of the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! festival for 12 years, and the volunteers who keep the festival alive continue to honor Kerouac's presence in his native city.
This weekend is filled with events to wish Jack a happy 88th birthday anniversary bash, with several performances by Davie Amram -- who I am proud to call a friend and great supporter of Lowell's Kerouac! events. Here are a few events from the planned lineup:
SATURDAY, MARCH 13:
DAVID AMRAM JAMS
2 p.m. Open Mike Readings with David Amram
The Dharma Buns. 26A Market Street.
*David Amram plays behind the readings
*Host: Mary/John Capriole; Moderator: Roger Brunelle
*On the Road Art Presentation by Mary Capriole
*John Capriole discusses the origin of Dharma Buns
*Paradise Road web video (2:30-2:40 p.m.)
7 p.m. This is BEAT! Caffe Paradiso 45 Palmer Street.Readings by area poets, and music with David Amram and the UMass Lowell Classical String Trio.
I'm not one bit unbiased, as you can tell. I'm especially thrilled that *my very own* Lawrence Carradini, past president of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! will be among the readers.
9 p.m. This Song’s For You, Jack! Continuing at Caffe Paradiso.
*Singer/Songwriter Bob Martin
*Singer/Songwriter Alan Crane
*Amy Black and the Red Clay Rascals
*Nolwenn Monjarret
*Special Late Night Guest.
Seating at Caffe Paradiso is limited. Please RSVP to george@copleymedia.com.
This schedule is also posted at: http://www.cometolowell.com/KerouacSchedule.htm
I've posted a video here that I made of Larry reading, with David Amram, from the 2008 Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! festival.
The great thing about this upcoming week is you can revel in poetry even on a school night.
Gary Snyder -- who I had the privilege of interviewing for an article this past week -- is this year's recipient of the Robert Creeley Award. Creeley, who died in 2005, grew up in nearby Acton, Mass. A foundation of dedicated volunteers awards the prize to poets of note each year, and also supports up and coming student poets.
Snyder gives a public reading at Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Road, Acton, Mass., Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 p.m.
The Kerouac and Snyder reading events are free. But, having been on the organizing side of a major literary festival, I can tell you that donations are greatly appreciated to help make these events go.
By the way I first saw Jeff's "Live Bird" play during the 1995 Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! festival. Not only was it an incredibly well done tribute to Charlie Parker, and so eerily like meeting him in person, it also gave in some insight into Kerouac's own poetic spirit and troubled heart. Our musical and poetic legacy of the mid 20th century is still finding new and appreciative audiences.
And, if by Tuesday, you haven't had your fill and you are having withdrawal, go on down to the Acton Jazz Cafe in Acton, Mass., to hear the Paul Broadnax Duo -- Paul Broadnax, 84, and Peter Kontrimas -- for a lifetime of jazz and the perfect magic for the mid-week.
I interviewed Paul recently for our "Living 50 Plus" section. He told me, "I wish more people had music in their lives." Me too.
So, to all involved in all these events mentioned here, thanks for the memories -- and may we meet each other again traveling ahead on the road.