Lawson Inada was named Oregon State Poet in 1991 and served as
the Oregon’s Poet Laureate from 2006-2010. His collection of poems “Before
the War” was the first book of poetry by an Asian American to be published by
a major New York publishing house. Considered a pioneer in Japanese-
American literature, Lawson has received many honors and awards including
the American Book Award for “Legends from Camp” in 1992; the Oregon
Book Award for Poetry in 1997, the Pushcart Prize for Poetry in 1996 and was
honored at the White House for a “Salute of Poetry and American Poets.” He
is a Professor Emeritus of English at Southern Oregon University, has
received two Poetry Fellowships from the NEA, a Guggenheim Fellowship in
Poetry in 2004 and currently serves as the Steinbeck Chair for the National
Steinbeck Center.
Paul Hunter is a poet, musician, instrument-maker, teacher, and editor
and publisher. For over a decade, he has produced letterpress books and
broadsides under the imprint of Wood Works Press, located in Seattle. His
poems have appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, Bloomsbury Review, Iowa
Review, North American Review, Poetry and Poetry Northwest. He has been a
guest on PBS as a poet, and is the author of several chapbooks and four
books of poetry: “Ripening” (2006) and “Breaking Ground” (2005 Washington
State Book Award), both published by Silverfish Review Press; “Mockingbird”
(1981, Jawbone Press) and “Pullman” (1976, University of Washington Press).
Leanne Grabel is a poet, a teacher, and co-founder of Cafe Lena, site
of Portland's longest running poetry open mike. Known for her poetry-based
theatrical performances and illustrated poetry chapbooks, including “Anne
Sexton Was A Sexpot” and “The Last Weekend of Sylvia Plath”, as well as her
poetry collections “Lonesome & Very Quarrelsome Heroes” and “Short
Poems by a Short Person.” Grabel teaches language arts in a treatment
center for incarcerated teenage girls which inspired her most recent work
"Badgirls." Grabel's memoir “Brontosaurus” will be published in late 2011.
Emmett Wheatfall is a rising star in the world of poetry. He burst onto
the scene with a music and poetry collaborative recording titled, “When I Was
Young;” Emmett was described as “…one of the most original and powerful
debut jazz artists of the year” by Wine and Jazz Magazine. Emmett’s newest
CD of music and poetry, “I Loved You Once” is being release in late 2011.
Emmett is a gifted orator; he has done voice-over work and is an annual
presenter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s "I Have A Dream Speech" for various
organizations during Black History Month. He has two published collections of
poems, “He Sees Things” and “We Think We Know” and an audio CD of his
poetry entitled, “I Speak.” Emmett has several poems published online for
organizations celebrating and promoting African-American Poetry.
www.emmettwheatfall.com
the Oregon’s Poet Laureate from 2006-2010. His collection of poems “Before
the War” was the first book of poetry by an Asian American to be published by
a major New York publishing house. Considered a pioneer in Japanese-
American literature, Lawson has received many honors and awards including
the American Book Award for “Legends from Camp” in 1992; the Oregon
Book Award for Poetry in 1997, the Pushcart Prize for Poetry in 1996 and was
honored at the White House for a “Salute of Poetry and American Poets.” He
is a Professor Emeritus of English at Southern Oregon University, has
received two Poetry Fellowships from the NEA, a Guggenheim Fellowship in
Poetry in 2004 and currently serves as the Steinbeck Chair for the National
Steinbeck Center.
Paul Hunter is a poet, musician, instrument-maker, teacher, and editor
and publisher. For over a decade, he has produced letterpress books and
broadsides under the imprint of Wood Works Press, located in Seattle. His
poems have appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, Bloomsbury Review, Iowa
Review, North American Review, Poetry and Poetry Northwest. He has been a
guest on PBS as a poet, and is the author of several chapbooks and four
books of poetry: “Ripening” (2006) and “Breaking Ground” (2005 Washington
State Book Award), both published by Silverfish Review Press; “Mockingbird”
(1981, Jawbone Press) and “Pullman” (1976, University of Washington Press).
Leanne Grabel is a poet, a teacher, and co-founder of Cafe Lena, site
of Portland's longest running poetry open mike. Known for her poetry-based
theatrical performances and illustrated poetry chapbooks, including “Anne
Sexton Was A Sexpot” and “The Last Weekend of Sylvia Plath”, as well as her
poetry collections “Lonesome & Very Quarrelsome Heroes” and “Short
Poems by a Short Person.” Grabel teaches language arts in a treatment
center for incarcerated teenage girls which inspired her most recent work
"Badgirls." Grabel's memoir “Brontosaurus” will be published in late 2011.
Emmett Wheatfall is a rising star in the world of poetry. He burst onto
the scene with a music and poetry collaborative recording titled, “When I Was
Young;” Emmett was described as “…one of the most original and powerful
debut jazz artists of the year” by Wine and Jazz Magazine. Emmett’s newest
CD of music and poetry, “I Loved You Once” is being release in late 2011.
Emmett is a gifted orator; he has done voice-over work and is an annual
presenter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s "I Have A Dream Speech" for various
organizations during Black History Month. He has two published collections of
poems, “He Sees Things” and “We Think We Know” and an audio CD of his
poetry entitled, “I Speak.” Emmett has several poems published online for
organizations celebrating and promoting African-American Poetry.
www.emmettwheatfall.com
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This creative music and poetry collaboration presents today's relevant and real poets in concert. This concert series is
intended to bring our cultural heritage in jazz and poetry back to mainstream consciousness. These mature, thoughtful,
emotional and philosophical art forms are outlets of our collective consciousness. These experiences are our
experiences; our voices, our songs, our lives.
An ever-changing roster of poets use their diverse backgrounds, styles and ideas to bring our common experiences to life
in thoughtful and expressive poetic story. These powerful and evocative performances shine a spotlight on the issues and
challenges in our lives and society. These concerts are intended to be an inspiration for all to work and live together in
more meaningful ways using our differences as sources of insight and reflection.
Please help support these continuing efforts with your attendance and gifts.
intended to bring our cultural heritage in jazz and poetry back to mainstream consciousness. These mature, thoughtful,
emotional and philosophical art forms are outlets of our collective consciousness. These experiences are our
experiences; our voices, our songs, our lives.
An ever-changing roster of poets use their diverse backgrounds, styles and ideas to bring our common experiences to life
in thoughtful and expressive poetic story. These powerful and evocative performances shine a spotlight on the issues and
challenges in our lives and society. These concerts are intended to be an inspiration for all to work and live together in
more meaningful ways using our differences as sources of insight and reflection.
Please help support these continuing efforts with your attendance and gifts.
"A Celebration of Poetry in Jazz"
Our November 2011 concerts included poets Lawson Inada, Paul Hunter, Leanne Grabel and
Emmett Wheatfall. The musicians include Noah Peterson, Andre St. James, Larry Nobori and
special guests.
Emmett Wheatfall. The musicians include Noah Peterson, Andre St. James, Larry Nobori and
special guests.
If you would like to bring A Celebration of Poety in Jazz to
your school or town, please contact us at 503-703-9516
your school or town, please contact us at 503-703-9516