Dear Friends,

I’m so happy and proud to say that my second book of poems, “Conversations and Other Songs” has finally come out on MadHat Press.

Next Saturday, Feb 20th at 5pm, I will be part of a live ZOOM reading of new books by MadHat Press, more details at this Facebook Event.

Hope to see you there!

Roy

On Thursday and Friday, May 23 and 24, at 7:00 PM, the sounds and stories of the New York City subway will fill the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street (at Pitt Street), New York City, with STUCK ON SUBWAY MOON, a live multi- media musical performance that combines professional jazz musicians and filmmakers with original poetry and songs by high-school music students. 

Members of the celebrated downtown ensemble THE JAZZ PASSENGERS will be among the featured performers with public school students from the Institute for Collaborative Education in Manhattan, and the High School for Violin and Dance and the Bronx Early College Academy in the Bronx. The SUBWAY MOON project focuses on building community and connection through art. Seating is general admission and tickets are $10.00. Tickets are available at the door or at the Abrons Arts Center website

#StuckOnSubwayMoon presented by #JPMPInc will be performed at the Abrons Arts Center as part of the @Abrons Series Program. #StuckOnSubwayMoon is the story of 30 NYC teenagers and a few crazy musicians, stuck on a subway bridge with only their voices and imaginations to carry them through the moonlit night. The student cast has been writing poetry, composing music, reciting lyrics, creating video and rehearsing for #StuckOnSubwayMoon since November 2018. This innovative work originated when the students – using a shared google doc to contribute their poetry before meeting in person – shared their metaphorical visions of being captive on a subway car stalled on a bridge at night. After twelve weeks of rehearsals with the Subway Moon staff, professional musicians and poets, the students fleshed out the songs and scenes into a theatrical performance. The young people involved—especially those interested in careers in the arts—benefit from having a space to build creative skills as well as by working with professional musicians, poets, and filmmakers.

For the May performances, music, and video images will rattle together–but this trip is more propulsive and will take us a greater distance than any rush hour D-train you are likely to take.

Blondie’s legendary Debbie Harry will be the featured guest of the Jazz Passengers for the JPMP 2019 Gala on Tuesday, February 26th at the spectacular Ideal Glass Studio.

The evening will begin with wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by City Winery and culminates with an exciting musical performance by the Jazz Passengers with featured guest, Debbie Harry. The event will include a unique silent auction of specially donated items and is a time to celebrate the successes of JPMP and raise funds to support the ongoing projects of JPMP, SUBWAY MOON and HOME.

This private event is limited to 100 guests. Tickets cost $300 per person and are available now. Proceeds benefit JPMP programs that provide multimedia experiences for high school students through music, poetry and performance with professional jazz musicians and filmmakers.

The BRIC JazzFest 2018 lineup is live! Featuring Meshell Ndgeocello, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, and of course Yours Truly, The Jazz Passengers and many more!

The Jazz Passengers perform on October 19 at 9:30 p.m.

Now in its fourth year, Brooklyn’s ultimate jazz festival includes film, dance, conversation, poetry, and a three-stage, three-night live music marathon that will fill BRIC House with the sounds of global legends, groundbreaking artists, and exciting newcomers to jazz.