WZUM is again a Media Sponsor for Jazz Poetry Month At City of Asylum / Alphabet City, North Side

Jazz Poetry 2023, May 3-31, features 50+ artists, bringing musicians and poets from around the world together to experiment, collaborate, and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. All concerts, in-person at Alphabet City and streamed online.

Jazz Poetry began with City of Asylum’s first writer-in-residence, Huang Xiang, in 2004. Huang Xiang was an emphatic performer, but he did not speak English. Tasked with the creative challenge of helping Pittsburghers connect with his poetry despite a language barrier, City of Asylum facilitated a collaboration between Huang Xiang and jazz legend Oliver Lake. The two artists hosted a one-night-only performance, interpreting and riffing off of one another’s art to create something truly special. Though their decidedly unique performance could never be duplicated, the tradition has been passed down for nearly two decades, growing every year to encompass not just one day, but an entire month of innovative rhythm and verse.

“Jazz Poetry is the embodiment of the experimentation, collaboration, and freedom of creative expression that is so central to making art across genres,” says Kelsey Ford, City of Asylum’s Director of Programs. “Our 2023 Jazz Poetry Month lineup explores and expands on these foundations of creative collaboration between musicians and poets by featuring genre-crossing music, multi-generational performances, and wide representation of cultures and identities.”

The 2023 Jazz Poetry Month lineup:

(All programs take place at 7:00 PM at Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA)

Wed. 5/3: James Brandon Lewis, Terrance Hayes, Cynthia Dewi Oka, and George Abraham

Sun. 5/7: Elina Duni, Rob Luft, Mj Shahen, and Yalie Saweda Kamara

Mon. 5/8: Elina Duni, Rob Luft, Ben Okri, and Jorge Olivera Castillo

Sun. 5/14: Alexia Bomtempo, Eileen Myles, Hiromi Itō, and Rachelle Escamilla

Sun. 5/21: Mihály Borbély, Ariana Benson, Gaia Rajan, and Rania Mamoun

Wed. 5/24: Mihály Borbély, Cameron Awkward-Rich, Tabassam Shah, and Anouar Rahmani

Sun. 5/28: Dyer Rosenbloom Kitamura, Sumita Chakraborty, Rosebud Ben-Oni, and Doralee Brooks

Tues. 5/30: WeFreeStrings, Orlando Watson, and Roy G. Guzmán

Wed. 5/31: Hip Hop Orchestra, Rho Bloom-Wang, Jade Davis, Audrey Alling, and Aja Lynn