Chicago • Double Door • March 31, 2005
After going through the Joseph Arthur photos from last night,
I found these shots of Jimmy Jaz aka James Zoccoli lighting up a breather
before the headliner took the stage. It being April Fools Day as well,
let it be known that Jaz is one of the most humorous cats you (I)
will ever meet, as an actor/artist James is accomplished in many
aspects of art and creativity. Keep your eyes & ears open for this
man in the theatre/radio/gallery/film/open mic world.
happy new year!
have you heard the joke about the guy
who was half italian & half polish?
that would be me.
so…
wow.
thanks for the commendation, evil one.
you really called me out, man.
my own art has always struck me as such a haphazard hobby…
…throwing together found objects, ripping up paper & glopping down glue;
slopping paint onto canvasses & spilling ink in the shape of words onto pages…
your praises give me incentive to put frames around my sketches
& bind some of those several loose leaves into a single book.
in the past, something always seemed to hold me back.
maybe it is my resignation to being just another zealot in this world
or the questions that arise from that statement…
i mean, artists are a dime a dozen, right?
who in the world would want to see my scrawlings & read my rhymes?
my guess is that all of us have felt that way at one time or another or always…
so thanks to you, vince, for the inspiration to put it all out there,
for capturing all these moments from your journey with that lense
& sharing your unique perspective with the world…
((not to mention hipping people to the great music you come across in your travels
& calling attention to great art & the artists who make it…))
as my best friend, video game nemesis, resident disc jockey,
top dog, artistic associate, comedy partner, design consultant
& executive producer of my first album, you might be a bit biased,
but all in all, your opinion means a lot as a guy who has travelled the globe
& seen the best, the worst & everything in between that the world has to offer…
so, without any further ado,
allow me to present a piece of prosaic poetry
that was spontaneously scribbled at the double door
during that joseph arthur show – which was also very inspirational…
all in all
jaz2K5
tonight at a show
too tired to talk or tap a toe
even to write takes more energy than you might know
oddly enough
leaning here on a table almost off balance
hand on the pencil // beat off the drum
tip to the paper // feet to the rhythm
takes many muscles in an attempt at accord
brain cells in motion
optic nerves in focus
trying trying trying to see to know to stand
although it would be easy
to give in to the music & lose it all in abandon
with my hand on your hip
lip to lip // bottle to flask
slowly pour full // fuller than that
but slowly // so slowly
because surely
all we can do is long for a lover
all we may ever do is long for a perfect lover
all we shall do here is long for a perfect lover now
all we all want is surrender
all we all want is an end to this war
so we rage & mourn & pity & scorn
& tear ourselves apart
until someone better comes along
to put us back together
because surely
all the fear in our minds & pain in our bodies
could never seem to undermine
all the joy in our souls & the faith in all of our hearts combined
that always seem to overcome
all that came before
still the man who stands on stage & cries in this kingdom
will be subject only to the ridicule of the rulers
it might not sound right to your ears
but if you could taste the tenderness
of the skin awash beneath these tears
you would hear this silly simple song
all in all
jaz2K5
so, there you have it.
a single thread in an aural tapestry (in the works) entitled
“communication – the random ravings of just another zealot”.
keep your eyes & ears open for that…the tapestry, that is.
thanks again for the chance to display some of my handicraft
some place other than the open microphone at strawdog theatre,
(our beautiful creative outlet here in the fairly windy city of chicago)
& subjecting your readers to my rambunctious retort to your kind comments…
more to come.
peAce&loVe2oNe&aLL:jaZ.
pS: how about making that picture an advertisement for american spirit?
you know the only tobacco to smoke is the real deal in my opinion…
(those & old granddad bourbon are the only products i can endorse.)
Comment by jimmyZ — 4/3/2005 @ 19:14 Sun
I second the Evil one. JAZ is the real deal. Jimmie, when you hit, it’s gonna be huge. You can take that to the bank.
Peace and blessings,
Cy.
Comment by Cy — 4/4/2005 @ 13:52 Mon
Jimmy Jaz…upon seeing these pictures a week back, I was telling David how much I have always admired both your talent and your sacrifice…you have always remained on your path and kept to your vision. That, my man, will land you a place in the book of the most respected. And it has. (and all this BEFORE you posted the poem…) Keep the faith, Jimmy Jaz. You are far from “a dime a dozen artist.”
You are JAZ.
Comment by Darby — 4/7/2005 @ 18:52 Thu
I’m honored to be your friend, brotherman, all mine indeed.
As for the Madden, c’mon man its draft day, you gotta give me
a game. something-
Comment by evil — 4/28/2005 @ 17:11 Thu