Jazz

We have a strong tradition of jazz in our family going back the generations and are fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best loved jazz tunes every day playing through the house on either piano or brass.  This poem has tried to syncopate the beat that is jazz whilst attempting to define this much loved genre of music that gets the toes tapping, the emotions racing and souls uplifted.  Written in a simple 4/4 metre, try reading it by emphasising the second and fourth ‘beats’ or syllables to get in the mood!

Syncopation
The novel beat
Improvising
Out in the street
Where rhythm flows
Where notes complete
The jazz we love
A sound so neat

A genre born
In southern state
Of USA
Yet did relate
To African
Music and vibes
Combining blues
From native tribes

And swung notes with
Polyrhythms
The restless sound
The beat of drums
With blast of brass
Piano bright
That jazz that does
Not sleep at night

Spontaneous
Vitality
The beat that taps
The toe through me
Sonority
Great razzmatazz
Innovating
The sound that’s jazz

 

Jazz with Nic Jones courtesy of Ben DJ Photography

 

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