Join ‘em on the Riff: Jazz Musings in Metre by Alwyn Lewis

These thirty poems are tributes to thirty different jazz musicians. On the verso side a photograph and brief bio of the musician is provided. The recto side contains Lewis’s poem. Some of the musicians she pays homage to include Chet Baker, Junior Cook, Miles Davis, George Mraz, JoAnne Brackeen, Ahmad Jamal, Rufus Reid, and James Moody. Lewis, an Australian jazz writer and a frequent contributor to Cadence magazine, has also included musicians from Australia and New Zealand, as well as a poetic tribute to road manager, Johnnie Garry. The poems are light, their tone conversational and informal.

Originally Published October 1, 1998