To Breathe Into Another Voice was recently launched at The Orbit Jazz club. This is an anthology of jazz poetry compiled and edited by avid Jazz lover and poet Myesha Jenkins. Published by Real African Publishers, the anthology explores jazz and its relationship to poetry and vice versa: How jazz informed exiled voices or lingers as a backdrop to a modern day massacre, or the poet’s ode to the musicians that dare to create Jazz .Or Jazz in memory or life or death. These are not just poems about Jazz. This is poetry inspired and influenced by jazz, Poetry imitating jazz. Jazz Rhythms trapped in a poem. Jazz Poetry.
To Breathe Into Another Voice reminds you of why you cannot help but love ‘Stimela’; will teach you of known and little-known South African Jazz greats and the history of jazz in South Africa as it parallels South Africa’s social history.-Kadija Sesay George [1]
To Breathe Into Another Voice is the first of its kind, and brings to the page a list of South Africa’s great poets across generations. These are: Poet Laureate Prof Keorapetse Kgotsisile, Sarah Godsell, Lebo Mashile, Vangi Gantsho, Quaz Roodt, Philippa Yaa De Villiers, Aryan Kaganof, Koleka Putuma, Malika Ndlovu, Makhosazana Xaba, Natalia Molebatsi, Myesha Jenkins, Percy Mabandu, Steve Kwena Mokwena ,Raphael D’Abdon, Barry Gilder, Connie Fick, Sedica Davids, Harry Owen, Selome ”Flow” Payne, Mphutlana Wa Bofelo, Allan Kolski Horwitz, Gary Cummiskey, Afzal Moolla, Diana Ferrus, Nova Masango, Ayanda Billie, Frank Meintjies, Kabelo Mofokeng,Xitha Makgeta, Mthunzikazi Mbugwana, Xabiso Vili, MoAfrika ‘a Mokgathi, Eugene Skeef, LeratoRato Kuzwayo Zaheer Karolia, Roux Wessels, Noleen Morris. Lamelle Shaw ,Icebound Makhele, Mandi Poetician Ndaliso, Lati Matjeni , Derrick Newson, Siza Nkosi, Linda Ndlovu and John Forbis.
”…I received the work of women and men, old and young and all of the race groups in South Africa. You will find poems that are innocent and naïve ; there are others that are more complex and that delve deeply. You will encounter the cultures and landscapes of this diverse nation. These poets truly represent South Africa as they open up, revealing the myriad ways that jazz has shaped and impacted on their lives” says Editor Myesha Jenkins [2]
Myesha Jenkins hosts monthly poetry and jazz shows at The Orbit Jazz Club(Braamfontein ,Jhb) that features poets alongside renowned jazz musicians.
To Breathe Into Another Voice can be ordered from Real African Publishers, or( within the next month) on Amazon and other e-publication formats.
[1] Foreword; Kadija Sesay George,To Breathe Into Another Voice; Real African Publishers [2017]
[2] Preface;Myesha Jenkins, To Breathe Into Another Voice; Real African Publishers [2017]