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Each live performance is a unique fusion of music, poetry and multimedia, involving the audience in the creation of improvised poetry and music. The ensemble draws on influences and style of the jazz beat generation, but also has elements of samba, and French cabaret in a refreshingly unique performance that expands the notion of performance poetry (spoken word). Visual montages skillfully weave together the themes of jazz, blues, and poetry. The Jazz Beat Ensemble addresses themes as diverse as Peace, ecstasy, ice-cream, racism, Palestine, politics, and voodoo love with a fresh lively style that is by turns poignant and humorous.

Quick Quotes

"...hip, sexy, irreverent, and very political"

"... a line up of first-rate jazz and blues musicians"

"Jazz Beat Blues Poetry Ensemble is a little camp, very off the wall, and very entertaining!"

“YOU GUYS ROCK! ...That’s not quite it, YOU GUYS – JAZZ”

"You and Bill Shontz react well to each other and the good humor is very welcome. I enjoyed listening!" -David Budbill