Jaffe...
Jaffe, who has hosted many L.A. venues over
the years, is a tireless ambassador for poetry.
Jeanette Clough host of Poem.X
You are about to read poems from one of
America's most highly involved poets. Jaffe is
working the world, really, with a magnificent sense
of spirit and brotherhood. He opens the experience
of poetry to all... Jennifer Bosveldt Publisher
Larry Jaffe's latest
manuscript L.A. Rhapsody is a must read for all
those who like their poetry disciplined, focused and
confident. Using Raymond Chandler as his alter ego,
Jaffe takes the reader on a poetic journey through
the darker territories of the human psyche.
There are some stunning examples of jazz writing in
the early part of the book, which demonstrates
Jaffe's capacity to pay homage to both detective
fiction and the jazz/blues canon of American
literature while never compromising his own voice.
– Jayne Fenton Keane
Larry Jaffe paints a stunning and painfully
accurate portrait of Los Angeles in this brilliant
collection of poetry. Beautiful, picturesque and
disturbing. Not always pleasant, not always kind,
but always true. Larry Jaffe's, LA is lasting and
powerful. I'm continually haunted and moved by the
images he's so boldly and generously given us. The
first time I read Larry Jaffe, I fell in love, as
I'm sure you will too. if i didn't already live in
LA, and I read this book, I'd pack my bags
immediately and move here...
Iris Berry
Larry Jaffe
Official Anti-Bio
Jaffe claims to have been born on
a mountaintop in the South Bronx, in the shadow of
Yankee Stadium. From the time he could walk, he
either was going to play baseball, hoops or be a
poet. Sometimes he thought he was the spiritual
reincarnation of Davy Crockett. He felt he had that
mountaintop thing in common with Crockett and also
his folks once bought him a coonskin cap which
stimulated this peculiar tangent. In truth, he is
the product of his own dreams. And has fond hopes of
being classified a world citizen walking in the
shadows of Mr. Neruda. As for how he writes, Jaffe
was once quoted saying that the air is letters, I
breathe them in and simply breathe out poetry. He
writes with romance and a satirical tongue pressed
firmly to his cheek. But do not take his sense of
humor for lack of worldly concern.
From the romantic to humor and social commentary,
Jaffe impacts audiences with a rich emotional range,
masterfully crafted. His poetry appears in numerous
publications as well as the Internet where he is
considered an artistic pioneer. Jaffe has been
featured in a variety of poetry venues and festivals
both throughout the U.S. and abroad and has read his
work in such distinguished locations as the Japanese
American Museum, the Hammer Museum, the Museum of
Tolerance, the Jewish Museum and the Museum of
Literature in Prague and the Dylan Thomas Centre in
Wales. Jaffe’s dynamic work integrates a strong
sense of humor along with his tough stand on human
rights and freedom.
The former poet-in-residence at the Autry Museum of
Western Heritage, Jaffe has been hosting and
curating poetry readings for several years while
also co-founding Poetix Poetry Magazine (a guide to
Southern California Poetry). Additionally, Jaffe was
a featured poet for Daimler/Chrysler’s Spirit in the
Words poetry program. He is the co-founder of
Poets for Peace (now Poets for Human Rights) and
spearheaded along with Rattapallax Publisher Ram
Devineni the United Nations Dialogue among
Civilizations through Poetry project which
incorporated hundreds of readings in hundreds of
cities globally using the aesthetic power of poetry
to bring understanding to the world.
For his entire professional career Larry Jaffe has
been using his art to promote human rights and to
reward this commitment was recently appointed Poet
Laureate for
Youth for Human Rights. He was the recent
recipient of the
Saint Hill Art Festival’s Lifetime of Creativity
Award, the first time given to a poet.
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