Welcome to Jazz Poetry Cafe! See who's our next feature poet...

The Poetry Man is the physical manifestation of thought and emotion. He doesn't recite his words, he lives in them. The process of Poetic Expression is as natural and necessary for him as breathing is for you. If you could somehow blend the DNA of a Minister, a Student, and Street Scholar with that of an Inquisitive Child gifted with the courage to dream, the boldness to pursue it; and the audacity to believe it; then you have the recipe to create The Poetry Man! Natural sight cannot order his steps; The Poetry Man is walking by Faith. Everything that he does is to let you know that his hustle is his flow!!

E-Baby’s love for writing started early in his life. It is described as intermittent. Then, in July 2000, he heard poetry from his radio; and once again, his words began to decorate the paper, and the minds of those who’ve heard him. In such a short period of time, he’s become the 2001 Black Words Online.com / Howard University Grand Slam Champion, in Washington, DC; the 2002 Poetology 3rd Place Winner, in Baltimore, MD; and a 2003 Nuyorcian Semi-Finalist in New York, NY appeared on PoetsDrum Cable Tv show in 2002.. E-Baby has opened for R&B artists Me’shell N’degeOcello, Jaguar Wright, Heather Headley, Kevon Edmunds, and Musiq Soul Child.. He’s been asked to read his poetry at high schools, festivals, conferences, youth programs, weddings, baby showers, and was requested to perform his signature piece, Dadah’s Angel at a funeral.

DJTAO
A Maryland native who performs throughout the DC/Baltimore area. He is currently a graduate philosophy student at American University in DC. He has performed in the theatrical production called "The Kings and Queens of Poetry" at the University of DC in May 2003. Appeared on PoetsDrum's cable TV show in 2003.

Hip hop artist, High school teacher, Slam poet, Garbage Pail Kid collector, Award-winning filmmaker, Transformers movie discrepancy pointer outer. Much could be said about Drew Anderson, aka Droopy the Broke Baller, but if it ain't good, it probably ain't true. This wily rascal and two-time DC/Baltimore National Slam Team member is wanted in 0.5 states, unarmed, and minimally dangerous. He will humor you with his unique style of poetry. He is truly gifted with words and his comedic approach to spoken word

Spoken word recording artist Taalam Acey is an internationally known performance poet. Acey was one of four poets from around the US selected by Essence Magazine to feature at the 2001 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Previous to that he was chosen to open up for activist Dick Gregory for a live PBS broadcast from the University of Texas at Austin. He was also one of five poets from around the US selected to feature in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's ground breaking "Theater of the Spoken Word."

Marsha Carter was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She started writing and performing poetry in 2000. Her writing style is simple. She transforms personal life experiences into poetry. Her goal is to bring people closer to God by including scriptures in her work. In December 2006, she independently produced her first CD “Broccoli Don’t taste Like Peach Cobbler.” The CD combines Marsha’s powerful delivery of spoken word poetry over neo-soul and traditional jazz music. In 2006, she served as resident host of “Unrestricted Soul” jazz & poetry at the classy, upscale restaurant Grand City Grille. In 2005, she hosted a successful jazz & poetry night at Magnolia Key Club. She won first place in 2004 at Mix 92.3 “Talent under the Stars” contest and opened for a concert at the Detroit Music Hall. She was a semi-finalist in the 2003 Seattle Poetry Slam. Marsha has performed at the Seattle Opera House, Folk Life Festival, African-American Book Festival, Charles H. Wright African-American Museum and the National Urban League-New York Chapter, as well as numerous weddings, parties, churches and non-profit groups. She has hosted events featuring the following artists: KRS-ONE, Jaguar Wright and Amel Larriuex. In 1994, she received her B.A. in Communications from Western Michigan University and in 1996 was awarded her M.A. in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Currently, she works for a public relations firm in Detroit. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the National Public Relations Society of America. When she is not managing her poetry career, she is simply called “Ma-Ma” by her busy toddler Malone.

The Good Times are back for BernNadette Stanis, who played sassy Thelma
Evans on the classic '70s sitcom "Good Times."
Not only is Stanis thrilled with Good Times' legendary status, but she's
bringing Thelma back tonight on JPCRADIO with Phillip Gregory, streaming on
JPCRADIO
tune in Saturday night Nov 18, 2006 7pm-9pm est for her interview and
poetry reading, of course I will have the best in spoken word tracks in rotation.
bonus for those in the DMV, meet and greet Thelma with Phillip G at
IM4RADIO radio station for pictures and purchase of Bern Nadette Stanis
book. 6:30pm-9pm Saturday Night November 18, 2006

Heather Hunter has proven for over a decade that she is more than a pretty face with skills in the erotic. Blessed in the arts of writing, painting, singing and dancing, Heather Hunter jumped off her career in entertainment. Now a living pop culture staple, Heather has returned to her written roots with the album, Double H The Unexpected and her hot new music video "So Serious" featuring Wyclef Jean. Keeping true to her unpredictable nature, Heather Hunter displays her versatility with sharp edged songs like, "So Serious" and "In Love" that exposes her emotional thoughts.

Experience the captivating, creative sounds of Vocalist / Spoken Word Artist, Lariè. Lariè’s recently released album, “Poetic Love” is, indeed, soothing to the soul. Lariè studied Music and Broadcast Communications at Norfolk State University, in Norfolk Virginia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. During his college years, and to the present, he has performed at countless venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region, to include the ‘Urban Independent Music Awards’ and the popular Cada Vez Night Club in Washington D.C. Inspired by his father, who is a gospel musician, and his love of classic Rhythm & Blues.

Maria "More," Poetess and Lyricist, embraces musical artistry through a passionate release of thought invoked words over smooth instrumentals created by some of the hottest neo-soul and hip-hop producers. Maria has been writing for more than 10 years and contributes her style to the musical influences of Bahamadia, Lauryn Hill, Sade, and Jill Scott. Pioneering a new sound, Maria More creatively blends a smooth lyrical delivery over tracks that fuse jazz, R&B and hip-hop sounds. Often referred to as the "Sade" of hip-hop, Maria attempts to create music that not only sounds good, but "feels" good.

When Maria is not behind the mic, you can find her in the percussion section with the Phat Cat Players, playing the Conga Drums. She works full-time as the Midday Personality (10am-2pm; Mon-Fri) at Tallahassee, Florida's "Blazin 102.3 FM" and also models part time. She is also a proud single mother of 2 boys and she holds both a B.S. and MBA from Florida A&M University (School of Jounalism, Public Relations concentration, graduated April 2000) and Florida State University (College of Business, Marketing & Supply Chain Mgmt., graduated April 2005) respectively.

A clinical social worker proficient at understanding character, Joy uses these skills when she writes about people. Joy is a double alumna of Columbia; she has her undergrad BA in Anthropology and went on to the Columbia School of Social Work for her graduate degree. She now has her 2nd Masters from CCNY in Creative Writing. Joy's style is - in your face reality combined with a unique perspective. Her writing reflects that she is a survivor. She grew up in Washington Heights and still lives there. Writing from her own experiences and those of her close friends, Joy focuses a new light on the wacky, humorous, and sometimes painful adventure of “Life in the Big Apple.” Joy has been assistant editor for the New Press Literary Quarterly, producer and host for her own cable TV series, Inner Joy, and has had her poetry published in variety of literary publications, including, Asheville Poetry Review, New Press Literary Quarterly, Grist on Line (internet), Poetry Magazine of the Lower East Side, and has been a featured reader at CBGB's, the Wetlands, Cornelia Street Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club and the Back Fence. On Long Island, she's appeared at Palmer Vineyards and the Paris Cafe. Joy also appeared on Public Access show, Poetry Central (Long Island), and The Sounds of Poetry on Adelphi Radio at WBAU-FM, in addition to others. Recently Joy read on WFLO Jazz Poetry Cafe with Phillip Gregory and will be reading there again on March 18th.Her new book, A Spot Of Bleach, was published by Big Foot Press in November 2005 and is available at Amazon.com. She is currently working as production editor for the Street Literature Review, a new magazine which will be released very shortly. Joy's new short story, At First... will soon be published in a new anthology of female urban writers by Augustus Publishing.

Past Features

The Industry has spoken! Sir Reigns, the youngest member of the 5THL has created a buzz "like the vibration of all pagers!"

Born as Sir Robinson to a broken yet functional family; even his birth is shrouded in mystery. Described as having the numerals 747 as the only visible lines in his infant inked footprint his delivery saved his mother's life. Able to read at the age of 2, his entire existence has been spent preparing for his destiny as an outspoken artist. Since middle school he has been doing dramatic readings, poetry shows and giving inspirational speeches. Receiving a full scholarship to Morgan State University, this Gentlemen of Quality soon gave up the college lifestyle to pursue a career as an artist/penuer.

Incorporating his harsh and humble beginnings in Baltimore's ghetto into his poetic presentation, his ability to capture the minds of the youth is uncanny. However, his extensive knowledge on a wide range of topics has earned him the nickname "The Great Dali Lama" among his elders. This balance of "gritty intellectualism" has produced a product unlike any other in the world; a marriage between Spoken Word and Hip-Hop.

Talented, Artistic, and simply "Off The Hook" it is obvious why the industry has spoken. Now, we await as the world listens.

Here's a look back at some of many poets who've blessed the mic at JPC within the past!

On February 22, 2004, E-Baby blessed the mic at the JPC!
He's featured at poetry spots & restaurants including Bar None (NW Washington, DC), Karibu Book Store (Hyattsville, MD) Londells Fine Dining (Harlem, NY). He's performed at colleges & universities including Lees-McRae College (Banner Elk, NC), Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), and Virginia Commonwealth Univ. (Richmond, VA).

Mahogany, born in Oakland, California, has been performing on the intensely creative performance poetry scene since early 1998. As a member of the highly regarded safe sex crew, The Punany Poets (as seen on HBO's Real Sex 24 & 26) Mahogany aspires to alert the Hip-Hop generation with safer sex methods and currently spear-heads the educational program Hip-Hop Poetry as New Professional Theatre's Educational Director. Mahogany can also be heard on radio airwaves throughout the country as the femme fatale poetic voice on Hennessy's Poetry Minute.

This Howard University graduate has been performing as a spoken word artist for just over two years. He's been featured on several poetry programs and shows including The Cypher's Corner and The Poet's Joint.

He has been broadcast via XM Satellite Radio and has also made guest appearances on FM Radio, including WPGC 95.5, Love Talk and Slow Jams. You can find him performing most frequently in poetry venues throughout the DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas.

Marc Marcel is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. An avid writer, Marcel is dedicated to sleepless nights, writing his thoughts to be read. If there has ever been a man that has taken a pen, and used it as a sword, then Marc Marcel has been equipped with a sharp blade.

Internationally known Spoken Word recording artist Queen Sheba's patented emotional roller coaster performances make her a frequently requested feature performer. In addition to being a national venue holder Queen Sheba has opened for artists such as Amel Laureux, Blu Cantrell, The Roots and Jaheim during his Just in case tour.

Queen Sheba is a Spoken Word master lyricist that incorporates poetry with urban cultural influence to send a message that will provoke the mind. Her range of expression extends from the urban pulse of hip-hop to the cerebral, timeless rives of pure jazz. The Queen's poetic themes deal with everything from old slave spirituals, serious societal issues, revolution, love, life, and liberty of the human spirit.

Yvette was born in one of the hotbeds of rhythm and blues, Dayton, Ohio, where musical influences were many. Such groups as Slave, Ohio Players, Heatwave, Sun, and Platupus were just a few of many influences in my growth in music.

"Yvette Barnes is for real. Her classic '70s Soul style mixes Aretha Franklin and Al Green with the Singer-Songwriter vibe of the great Bill Withers." – Listen.com

JAHIPSTER
With These Hips on the tip of her tongue and a microphone in her hand, spoken soul artist JaHipster debuted on the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Metropolitan open-mic poetry and slam circuit in the spring of 1997. By the winter of 1997 she was on tour with a performance poetry troupe, Da Minista JaHipster and The SongBird. In 1998 she won her first slam and went on to become the BlackWords Grand Slam Champion in 1999 and a member of the Washington, D.C. National Slam Team in 2000.

To see JaHipster on stage is to know that she was born for it.

MYISHA CHERRY
She is an artist who paints visual pictures on poetic canvases and an orator who speaks on urban soapboxes, echoing social and spiritual speeches through the bullhorn of words. And if that is not enough for you, she uses those same artistic hands to clean up her community through activism and advocacy because she believes that talk is only cheap when you do not invest in perfecting your world physically.

TERRESSA MCCREE
Taking center stage with her poetic style and performance artistry at events and venues throughout the region.

House music's newest "POETESS" with her BANGIN' house track with renowned DJ and producer DJ POPE/b Soul "The Movement".

"Green County Baby", Expressed by Terressa CD's SELLING OUT EVERYWHERE!!!

Up mics with her piece "my big butt", "chocolate", "silent cries" & her ode to hatin' poets, "up to par" are just a few reasons why you don't want to miss her at the JPC on Saturday, April 19, 2003!

DJTAO
A Maryland native who performs throughout the DC/Baltimore area. He is currently a graduate philosophy student at American University in DC. He will be performing in the upcoming theatrical production called "The Kings and Queens of Poetry" at the University of DC in May.

DARLENE BROWN
A native New Yorker, who currently resides in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Darlene is a Spoken Word Artist and Writer. A member of Toastmasters, Darlene has always had a passion for writing poems, short stories, and motivational passages. Her positive attitude, spiritual foundation, and ability to remain focused have allowed her to elevate in life, overcoming challenges and obstacles.

Being a well-versed spoken word artist she has recited her inspirational poetry at the First Annual Maryland National Heritage Award Ceremony honoring Kevin Clash, Sesame Street's "Elmo" at the Baltimore Ravens Stadium, and has been a featured poet at the "Jazz Poetry Cafe" and the "Poet's Joint" televesion show. Darlene has won the poetry slam on "Hottest Poets" in New York City at Jimmy's Uptown Cafe. She recently recited her poetry on WPGC's Radio Show "Love, Talk, and Slow Jams" hosted by Justine Love and she has been a featured guest on XM Radio's show "Can U Relate", hosted by Michelle Leslie and XM Radio show "TMI-Too Much Information", hosted by Alvin Jones.

L.D. STEWART
came out to the Jazz Poetry Cafe on March 15, 2003 and dropped some deep poetry in our ears!

A native Washingtonian, whose been writing, seems like, forever and spittin' for 5yrs. Attended Tuskegee Institute & American Universty, mother of a 5 yr old. Featured at numerous venues, conferences, slams, anthologies, radio and winner of July 2001 Def Poetry Jam on-line contest.

Also a poet, author, publisher and founder of Dancin' Tongues, Inc., a non-profit organization serving interests of artists and community through showcases, workshops, and fund-raising & special events. Host of monthly venue, Dancin' Tongues Artists Showcase, in Washington, DC. L.D. is founder and CEO of MIRAJ Publishing which releases 1-2 titles annually, and completing her first novel.

KOMPLEX
also came out to the Jazz Poetry Cafe on March 15, 2003 and blessed the mic!

Komplex, (spelled with a "K") is the co-host of the hit television show "The Cypher's Corner", The Master of Ceremonies of Poetology Inc., the director of the Poetology Collective and the coach of Poetology's "Team II" slam team. He wears many hats as a TV host, event coordinator, event host, Hip-Hop & Reggae artist, poet and songwriter. Armed with great timing, charm, and humor, his hosting skills are well in demand by many event promoters. He has been contracted to host a number of local and national events throughout Maryland Virginia and Washington D.C. Such events include the 2001 "Word Fair" national poetry slam competition held annually in Norfolk Virginia. To see a full listing of performances, please read the bottom.

A native of the island of Jamaica, Komplex moved to Brooklyn New York at the young age of 10. He began writing at 13 when an English teacher issued a creative writing assignment to his class. Now a performer with great presence, passion and signature style, his varied cultural, musical and literary influences establish his style of poetry, songwriting and emceeing as simply "komplex". His performance career began in Columbia, MD in June 2000, where he made his first stage performance at a venue that he would host six months later, called "Dat Luv Jones Joint". Since that time he has rocketed in popularity as one of the area’s premier event hosts and performers.

Feature Poets/Guest

Here's a look back at some of many poets who've blessed the mic at JPC within the past!