Project Description

CrimeJazz words poetry and beyond was a literary crossover event in which Literature and Poetry are alternated with Hip Hop, Folk, Spoken Word, NuSoul, Jazz and other related music styles by Sasha Dees and Philip Powel (John106).

(trailer by Eelko Ferwerda)

Alongside classic poetry and prose, CrimeJazz gives a stage to more present-day styles such as Rap Poetry and Spoken Word. The strength of Crime Jazz lies in the fact, that on the one hand there is a broad variety in literature and on the other hand there is a divergent music programming. The emphasis of all the different aspects of CrimeJazz lies in innovation, originality, and topicality. CrimeJazz programs both established and beginning international artists and as such CrimeJazz is a breeding ground a new generation of artists.

Started in 1998 in Nighttown Rotterdam, CrimeJazz became a steady annual series of 6 CrimeJazz words poetry & beyond a year in Rotown, Rotterdam and Bitterzoet Amsterdam as of 2003. An educational component with the international visiting artists was part of the program done in collaboration with HipHopHuis in Rotterdam and Nowhere in Amsterdam.

Next to the series we help launch books and albums under the name CrimeJazz presents and curator guest programs for big festivals like North Sea Jazz, Lowlands, TodaysArt and Poetry International.

In 2006 a compilation CD of CrimeJazz artists was brought out independently and in 2008 a publication “10 years CrimeJazz” was publised.

Two specials editions of CrimeJazz took place in Paramaribo, Suriname in 2007 and 2010.

A selection of international artists that blessed the stage: Amiri Baraka, Typhoon, Simon Vinkenoog, Sabrina Starke, Ntjam Rosie, Jamie Woon, Zena Edwards, Marjolijn van Heemstra, Antibals, Babs Gons, Jessica Care Moore, Diana Ozon, Joost Zwagerman, Dennis van Leeuwen, Jonzi D, Jules Deelder, Gery Mendes, Abdelkader Benali, Toni Blackman, Nick Mulvey, Tamar Kali and many others.

Presented by Lennie St Luce.