Charles Curtis Blackwell & Vincent Kobelt
Jazz poet, painter & playwright Charles Curtis Blackwell and poet Vincent Kobelt perform with The All-Star Revue from their new CD release, Catch the First Thing Smokin’ and other works.
Charles Curtis Blackwell, jazz poet, painter and playwright, whose art work has been featured in the New York Times and on PBS television; born in San Francisco 1950 with a lifelong love for jazz music and the blues that has helped overcome the obstacle of near-blindness; published both nationally and internationally in a variety of magazines and publications; also a recipient of many local cultural artist awards; author of The Fiery Response to Love’s Callings; Is, the Color of Mississippi Mud; If a Pigeon Can’t Fly; Blind Alley Cats Dream Jazz and his new CD release, Catch the First Thing Smokin’. His captivating performance reinvents the intriguing sound of jazz into transcendent poetry.
Vincent Kobelt has written poetry for the page, the stage, and the mic. His early work explored the murals of the Mission where he grew up, the music of jazz, the milk weed that cracks concrete, the beauty of the earth, and a cry for justice. For some time now he has been experimenting with poetry that lends itself to musical accompaniment. He has taught Creative Writing and California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA or Inner Spark) and has written numerous chapbooks: Peppers from my Tongue, Volumes 1 and 2, Textures of Pregnancy, The Way Light Ripples on Water, and Pinch of Salt. Recently he has collaborated with Poet Charles Curtis Blackwell and musician Brian Kendricks on their poetry CD Catch the First Thing Smokin’.
This event is free of charge, and is happening at the Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel
999 California Street (at Mason Street)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 616-6916
MUNI 1 California