Jazz

Jazz
by Walter Dean Myers
illustrated by Christopher Myers

I found this illustrated poetry book when I was looking for materials to develop a music unit about jazz. These poems pay tribute to jazz musicians and lyrically describe different characteristics and moods of jazz. There are poems dedicated to particular musicians as well as particular instruments.

I love the illustrations in this book. Christopher Myers created these illustrations by painting black ink on acetate and placing it over acrylic. Using this method, he beautifully depicts images of African American individuals who have contributed tot he history of jazz.

The introduction of this book includes a thorough description of the jazz music, including both characteristics of the music itself, as well as historical information about the development of jazz. At the end of the book, the author includes a glossary of jazz terms. Included in this glossary are words such as: be-bop, blow, chops, fusion, boogie, etc. He also includes a jazz time line, with significant events in jazz's history highlighted.

There is also a CD available with the poems narrated and sung to accompanying music. I've always thought that poetry and music are intimately related, and this book is a fun way to blend the two.