The Poets Are Gathering

Benjamin Boone plays alto and soprano saxes with a core team of Kenny Werner/p, Ari Hoenig/dr and Corcoran Holt/b and a rotating group of guests on instruments and vocals with poems narrated by 11 different guests. The basic theme here is a result of the frustration from COVID-19 and the George Floyd trauma, with a mix of jazz and poetry that has been part of the tradition since "Strange Fruit". Boone and Werner compose most of the music, with poetry by Patricia Smith including "That's My Son There" and "Your Man". Anger and frustration are prevalent throughout, with some material taking a slight side rout as on TR Hummer's "The Sun One (Homage To Sun Ra", while "These Current Events" is a climax to the visceral angst of the times.

Moving, and also reminiscent of the bible verse "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" but at least people are looking for something outside of themselves for answers.