BIRD HEAD SON THE POET: May spirits build nests in his beard

Saturday, 26 July 2008

May spirits build nests in his beard

'I like to play fast. I get excited, and I have to sort of control myself, restrain myself. But when the rhythm section gets cooking, I want to 'explode'. --- Johnny Griffin - April 24 1948 - July 24 2008

"Unquestionably Johnny Griffin can play the tenor saxophone faster, literally, than anyone else alive. At least he can claim this until it's demonstrated otherwise. And in the course of playing with this incredible speed, he also manages to blow longer without refueling than you would ordinarily consider possible. With this equipment he is able to play almost all there could possibly be played in any given chorus." - Ralph Gleason

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About Me

Anthony Joseph is a Trinidadian born poet, novelist, musician and lecturer. He is the author of three poetry collections: Desafinado (1994), Teragaton (1998) and Bird Head Son (2009). His first novel, The African Origins of UFOs was published in 2006. Joseph performs and tours internationally accompanied by his band The Spasm Band. He has released two critically acclaimed albums with the band; both released to coincide with book publications. His debut album with the band, Leggo de Lion was released in 2007, and featured lyrics taken from his novel The African Origins of UFOs. Bird Head Son followed in 2009, with lyrics from the Bird Head Son collection. Joseph’s third album with the band, Rubber Orchestras will be published alongside his fourth poetry collection of the same name in 2011. He is also a lecturer in Creative Writing at Birkbeck College, University of London, where he was instrumental in the development of the first Creative Writing BA course offered by the University. He lives in London.