On launching two poetry collections with a touch of jazz

October 9, 2021, my book launch for my new poetry collections, Small Sovereign and Slow Phoenix, filled the Northampton Center for the Arts (NCFA) with jazz music and a poetry reading. The risers were filled with about thirty attendees, and my laptop computer was set up with another twenty viewers on Zoom, when Now’s the Time Jazz Quartet launched into “One for Daddy-O, “My Shining Hour,” “Ain’t’ Misbehavin’,” “My Funny Valentine,” and 4 other jazz standards.

Now’s the Time Jazz Quartet consists of: John Power on upright bass; Chris Koh on drums; Bill Winslow on piano; and Michael Favala Goldman on clarinet and bass clarinet. Our group also has a sextet version with trumpet and saxophone added. Most of us have played together for well over a decade at various venues around the Pioneer Valley, like Luthier’s Co-op, Delaney House, The Log Cabin, Black Birch Winery and others. We have also played First Night Northampton twice.

Michael Favala Goldman reading poetry at the launch

Now’s the Time Jazz Quartet performs at MIchael's Launch

Take a bow... Now’s the Time Jazz Quartet at MIchael's Launch

⇧ Highlights from the book launch. Click on any image to view gallery.

After the music, and a quick scene and costume change, Kelly Silliman from NCFA welcomed the crowd and introduced me. I read a handful of poems from each of the two poetry books, and then I read another ten newer poems about relationship, family, and identity. After the poetry, I played a solo clarinet piece, “Sun Singer,” written by Paul Winter.

The evening was recorded by Northampton Open Media (NOM), who has made the video available on YouTube. You can watch it below:

Excerpts from the video are available on my youtube channel.

I want to thank Kelly and the NCFA for being incredible hosts. Besides use of the sweet baby grand piano and the spacious lobby (which my family filled with tables of books and a raffle), I am thankful for use of the FLEX auditorium, which has such resonant sound that the band and I were able to perform without amplification. Thanks to the work of my family and friends for good advice, and for help with set up and break down. Thanks to my band for a superlative performance, and to NOM for the recording. And thanks to friends and strangers who came to listen and to share an inspirational, memorable evening.