Celebrate poetry and jazz
Gwendolyn Brooks Oct. 28 and Harry James Oct. 29

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks, one of America's most revered cultural figures, will join a host of other notable guests at U.Va. Oct. 28 for an evening devoted to African-American poetry. The event will also feature jazz by the Free Bridge Quintet, with vocals by Kyra Gaunt, assistant professor of music.

The 8 p.m. program, open to the public in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, marks the University Press of Virginia's publication of Harlem Gallery and Other Poems of Melvin B. Tolson, edited by U.Va. English professor Raymond Nelson, and The Furious Flowering of African American Poetry, a major collection of interviews and essays, edited by James Madison University English professor Joanne V. Gabbin.

Joining Brooks, Nelson and Gabbin will be Tolson's son, Melvin B. Tolson Jr., and U.Va. English professor and former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove, who wrote an introduction to the new Tolson collection.

The McIntire Department of Music will hold two events Oct. 29 focusing on the life and music of trumpeter Harry James. A panel discussion at 2:15 p.m. in 107 Old Cabell Hall will include U.Va. alumnus Peter Levinson, author of Trumpet Blues, The Story of Harry James; music faculty Scott DeVeaux and John D'earth; and Louise Baranger and Jeannie Dennis, who performed with the Harry James Orchestra.

The U.Va. Jazz Ensemble, led by John D'earth, will perform that night at 8:15 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, with Dennis singing and Baranger on trumpet. Levinson will give a pre-concert lecture in 107 Old Cabell Hall, and will sign copies of his book at the reception following the concert.

Tickets for the concert are $10 general and $8 or 8 ARTS$ for students.