Drawing © Ann Cohen

'The Jazz Musician' is from 'Book of Hats' by Allen Cohen. Published by Regent Press 2003

"Book of Hats" is a the collection of poems that Allen Cohen wrote about the different North Beach characters that frequented the Schlock Shop on Grant Avenue during the time he worked there. The book is Illustrated by Ann Cohen .

THE JAZZ MUSICIAN

Warm Tuesday evening,
KJAZZ on the radio as usual.
a tall black man comes in
with graying beard and no front teeth.
He is dressed in a long denim coat
over a blue jump suit and Irish cap.
When I look at him, he says,
"Every time I pass by the music draws me."
Supersax with L.A. Singers
are playing Star Eyes with ensemble sax breaks.
He closes his eyes and weaves
his body around his own inner sun
Then Miles Davis comes on
playing My Funny Valentine.
"I played guitar with Miles before McLaughlin.
"He scat sings around the melody.
"Yeah, I played around at the Jazz Workshop,
and the Both/And, but I never played the Blackhawk.
I sat in with Bags and Jimmy Smith.
I'm playing piano and organ now.
Got to keep growin' and giggin'."
He swing out onto Grant avenue.

© Allen Cohen
U.S.A.
North Beach

From Beatitude Vol. 2, 1992
Publisher: EILEEN KAUFMAN -
The Bob Kaufman Foundation for LivingPoetry
Editor: Michele Marie Boleyn

JOIE COOK - BLACK KEYS