Jazz and poetry are close, there”s no question about it. Jazz musicians feel poetry in every song they play.

Larry Simon, Guitarist and composer, is the man who organizes this four-day event, beginning on April 20th.

This is the second edition of this festival that unites music and words getting a fantastic result.

The place? Several locations at Portsmouth, NH.

The full list of activities:

Thursday, April 20

TRADITIONAL JAZZ JAM

5-6:30 p.m., the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186

A whole night of jazz and poetry kicks off the festival starting with Larry Garland and River City Jazz

SPECIAL EXPANDED BEAT NIGHT

7 p.m., the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186

Live, improvisational music by Larry Simon and Groove Bacteria accompanied by the poetry of some of the best New England performance poets

JAZZMOUTH FILM SCREENING

9 p.m., the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth

A rare screening of the Beat film, “Pull My Daisy” with David Amram present. After the film, enjoy live music by Larry Simon and Groove Bacteria and guests

Friday, April 21

POETRY COFFEE BREAK

10:30-11:30 a.m., Ceres Bakery, Penhallow Street, Portsmouth

Join poets John-Michael Albert, Gary Widger, Jennifer Belkus and Mickey Blanchette for a coffee break.

PORTSMOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

6-7:30 p.m., The Dolphin Striker, 15 Bow St., Portsmouth, 431-5222

Scheduled to perform are Portsmouth Poet Laureate Mimi White, former laureates John Perrault, Robert Dunn and Maren Tirabassi as well as Walter Butts and Lesley Kimball

JAZZMOUTH JAZZFEST

8-10 p.m.; 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth; $6

First set features Timberlane Regional High School Jazz Combo coached by drummer Ken Clark. Second set Hammond Masters Matt Jenson and Ken Clarke with Jenson’s Acid Reggae Xperience.

Saturday, April 22

YOUNG WRITERS’ BEAT NIGHT

11 a.m.-noon, RiverRun Books, 7 Commercial Alley, Portsmouth, 431-2100

Teen writers read with music by Larry Simon and Friends

NEW HAMPSHIRE WRITERS PROJECT WORKSHOP

12:30-3 p.m., the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 314-7980, nhwritersproject.org, $45, $25 for NHWP members and students,

“Performance Poetry: Liberating The Voice Within” by Neil English

JAZZMOUTH

7:30 p.m., South Church (aka Unitarian Universalist Church, State Street, Portsmouth), $12 advance at Press Room; $13 advance at Bull Moose Music; $15 at door

Evening of music, poetry and collaborations, featuring the whole slew of folks mentioned in the cover story

Sunday, April 23

POETRY & JAZZ BRUNCH

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., The Library Restaurant at The Rockingham, 401 State St., Portsmouth, 431-5202

Larry Simon & Groove Bacteria host poetry brunch with readers Dianna Durham, S. Stephanie, John Perrault, Pat Parnell, Martin Steingesser, Luke Edgar, Anna Birch, Deidre Randall, Trina Daigle and musicians Larry Simon, Mike Barron, Nate Edgar, Don Davis, Frank Laurino and Cynthia Chatis.

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