Home » Member Page

Emmett Wheatfall

Emmett Wheatfall is lyrical poet having done jazz, blues, gospel, and pop compositions and performances.

About Me

Emmett Wheatfall lives in Portland, Oregon where he reads, writes, publishes and performs poetry. He has recorded one non-lyrical (without music) spoken word poetry CD titled I Speak and four lyrical spoken word poetry (with music) CDs. They are When I Was Young (2010), I Loved You Once (2011), Them Poetry Blues (2013), and Welcome Home (2017). These albums feature some of Oregon’s most gifted and talented jazz, blues, and pop musicians and artists.

He has performed lyrical spoken word poetry in local jazz venues such as Ivories Jazz Lounge and Restaurant, Tony Starlight's Supper Club and Lounge, Backspace Café (formerly), Portland's fabulous Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and many venues around the Portland area. He has performed lyrical spoken word jazz and blues poetry at Jimmy Mak’s Jazz Club: the former premier Northwest Jazz club, having been regarded as one of America's top 100 Jazz Clubs.

Poet Wheatfall has been accompanied by world-class Jazz and blues musicians in the persons of Noah Peterson (Peterson Entertainment LLC), Gordon Lee, Andre St. James, Edwin Coleman III, and John Thomas: Canadian pianist Gaea Shell, Eldon T. Jones, James (Jim) Blackburn, and Ramsey Embick.

In addition, such Portland legends as the late great Mr. James Miller. Then there’s the “Boss of the B-3 Hammond” Mr. Louis Pain, aka “King Louie,” Carlton Jackson, Peter Dammann, Albert Reda; Salem, Oregon great Nathan Olsen, and Portland pianist and composer James (Jim) Blackburn. Most notable was the master and late great Grammy nominated Jazz, Blues, and Gospel pianist and recording artist Ms. Janice Scroggins, as well as Portland vocalists LaRonda Steele and Ms. Barbara Harris.

In 2014, 2016, and 2018 he served on the Nomination Committee for the selection of Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears, Elizabeth Woody, and Kim Stafford. The Oregon Poet Laureate fosters the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses central issues related to humanities and heritage, and reflects on public life in Oregon. The poet is appointed by the governor of the State of Oregon.