Robert Pinsky: Translating Charlie Parker into Poetry
Association of Writers and Writing Programs - Hynes Convention Center
(Robert Pinsky, Laurence Hobgood, Stan Strickland, Ben Allison) Robert Pinsky and Laurence Hobgood recently released their collaborative CD titled POEMJAZZ. This performance will be an extension of that collaboration, which includes jazz greats Ben Allison (bass) and saxophonist Stan Strickland (saxophone). Like all WAMFEST (The Words and Music Festival) events, this will be introduced by David Daniel. WAMFEST is a part of Fairleigh Dickinson University's creative writing programs.

Robert Pinsky's first two terms as United States Poet Laureate were marked by such visible dynamism, and such national enthusiasm in response, that the Library of Congress appointed him to an unprecedented third term. Throughout his career, Pinsky has been dedicated to identifying and invigorating poetry's place in the world.

Ben Allison has appeared on over 50 albums by various artists and has written music for film, national television and radio. He was born in 1966 in New Haven, Connecticut, and has performed and collaborated with a stylistically wide variety of artists including oudist Ara Dinkjian, kora player Mamadou Diabate, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano, legendary performance artist Joey Arias, tap dancers Jimmy Slide and Gregory Hines and US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.

Laurence Hobgood is best known for his collaboration with vocalist Kurt Elling. He has enjoyed a multi-faceted and dynamic career, with multiple Grammy nominations and a 2010 Grammy win.

Stan Strickland, singer, saxophonist, flutist, and actor has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and the former Soviet Union. In addition to numerous radio and television appearances, he has performed in many clubs and concert halls, including Carnegie Recital Hall and Town Hall in New York, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.