Poet Lee Herrick performed alongside Armen Nalbandian this past Thursday night at the Rhythms of Art season finale, in which Armen improvised on the piano as Lee read. Lee introduced a new poem entitled, Jazz, in which he references Armen. The entire poem appears below courtesy of Mr. Herrick.


JAZZ Lee Herrick


Pass the soju. Tell me about your breaking
& all the sex afterward. Light whatever

you want. Touch my neck. I’ll tell you this—
I sang a capella by a fire on a beach.

My favorite temperature? How cool
the sand is around your buried feet

in the night beach sand. That cool.
& there is jazz in Ashalee Ezeb’s hair—

each braid an echo of 1867, 1867.
Look. There is jazz in Armen’s hands

on the black keys. There is jazz here.
Shake the dust, Armen. There is jazz

here. Shake the dust. Hey, Lawson,
there is jazz here. Shake the dust.

Check it out. Shake the dust.
There is jazz in this room.

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Here is the press release for this thursday's concert:

On Thursday July 19th, 2007 at 7pm, Fresno Art Museum Musical Director\Resident Artist Armen Nalbandian will present the season finale of his Rhythms of Art Concert Series. This concert will be an all-star gala featuring some of the finest musicians in the world. Performers include: Poet Lee Herrick will be reading from his newest book, The Armen Nalbandian Sound Ensemble will be premiering a new work by Nalbandian: The Battle of New Orleans, and closing the concert will be The Armen Nalbandian Trio in a rare concert performance. All proceeds will benefit Habitat Humanity for New Orleans. Tickets are limited so purchase early. For tickets & more information visit The Fresno Art Museum (559-441-4221) or www.armennalbandian.com.

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