Jazz Fiction

JAZZ FICTION September 25, 2019

Foxhole

Edward Fox was introduced as the pianist in saxophonist Cory Dextrose's quartet in the short story Last Song for Valentine. This is his own story. The thudding sound on the floor was followed by a piercing voice Edward Fox knew all too well. “Stop that damn noise, will you!" Old Mr. Grayson had taken a broomstick and hammered away at his own ceiling, competing with the hammers on Edward's battered piano. He had been deep in a ...

JAZZ FICTION March 3, 2019

Last Song for Valentine Part 4-4: My Funny Valentine

By Jakob Baekgaard

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 The first thing Cory heard when he stumbled into Café Picasso was the familiar voice of his drummer, Pearl, getting into an argument with two other musicians. They were all laughing loudly, but he could tell by the tone that it was also serious. Pearl caught his eyes and exclaimed: “Cory! Just the man I need. Come on over here! These rookies are trying to school me ...

JAZZ FICTION March 1, 2019

Last Song for Valentine Part 3-4: Blue in Green

By Jakob Baekgaard

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 When Cory came home to his apartment, he could see lights shining in many of the windows. He felt good knowing that he was not the only one awake, and as he walked up the stairs, he heard people pacing, a baby crying and the sound of muffled voices. He could smell garlic and spices and remembered that he was still hungry. Inside his apartment, ...

JAZZ FICTION February 27, 2019

Last Song for Valentine Part 2-4: New York is Full of Lonely People

By Jakob Baekgaard

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 It was late in the evening when Cory left the club. As always, he quickly became exhausted when he left the stage. It was not playing that was difficult. He was comfortable in his own skin on stage and often felt a real connection with the audience. It was a transient feeling and he could not catch everyone, but he played for someone and those who heard ...

JAZZ FICTION February 26, 2019

Last Song for Valentine, Part 1-4: Dancing in the Dark

By Jakob Baekgaard

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 It was at the end of the second set when Cory realized that he couldn't play. Nothing had really changed. He looked across the room in Jan's Supper Club and saw the same familiar faces and some new ones too. Valentine wasn't there. She would never be. He had tried to persuade her many times. “Look," he had said, “it's free. I'll write you on the guest ...

JAZZ FICTION April 12, 2015

Now's the Time: Part 5-5

By Sean Murphy

Introduction The life and times of a minor jazz legend are recounted through his narrated memories. In this fictional treatment of jazz music in the mid-to-late 20th century, issues of race, creativity, addiction and, ultimately, redemption, are explored. With a title taken from the immortal Charlie Parker tune, “Now's The Time" is an extended meditation on the artistic life. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 You ...

JAZZ FICTION April 11, 2015

Now's the Time: Part 4-5

By Sean Murphy

JAZZ FICTION April 10, 2015

Now's the Time: Part 3-5

By Sean Murphy

JAZZ FICTION April 9, 2015

Now's the Time: Part 2-5

By Sean Murphy

JAZZ FICTION April 8, 2015

Now's the Time: Part 1-5

By Sean Murphy

JAZZ FICTION August 13, 2011

Can't Get Started

By Wayne Wolfson

I had been thinking of home when I died. “Do you want a drink now?" she asked. “A drink-drink?" “Mais oui." The modus operandi of an angel with a mean streak. How had I gotten here? Her place, I had been here once but that was as part of a crowd which became a roving party, stopped only by the first rays of a new day's sun. That ...

JAZZ FICTION August 28, 2010

Bop Addict

By Wayne Wolfson

She clutched my hand deciding to worry about how to deny having done such a thing later. It was Sabbath's first time leaving Brooklyn and she was nervous. Of course I was all right, I had been until we were well under way and past the point of no return. Passing through customs had been fine as it could have been anyplace crowded by humanity for some kind of holiday sale or concert and did not feel of being somewhere ...