Jazz Poetry Brings Gerry Sloan and Local Poets to Fayetteville Library

There’s something about pairing spoken word with a plucked bass line that turns a library room into a jazz club for an afternoon. Fayetteville Public Library is doing exactly that, bringing together local poets and musicians for an event built entirely around improvisation.

THE DEETS

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Fayetteville Public Library, Walker Community Room (3rd Floor)
🔗 More info

What to Expect

You’ll hear ten local poets read original works and tributes to poets who came before them. Each writer picks their own musical accompaniment on the spot, either bass or guitar, so no two readings sound quite alike.

You’ll be listening to Gerry Sloan lead the group. He spent over thirty years in the University of Arkansas Music Department, where he founded the Jazz Ensemble and the Latin Ensemble and taught Jazz History.

Who’s Reading and Playing

You’ll hear from featured poets Erin Allen, Na’Tosha De’Von, Robert Ginsburg, Michael Hoerman, Leah Juliet, Harry McDermott, Geoff Oelsner, Molly Bess Rector, Suzanne Underwood Rhodes, and Greg Zeck, backed by Ben Harris on guitar and Garrett Jones on bass.

Come With an Open Ear

Since each poet chooses their accompaniment on the spot, you’re catching a one-time combination of words and music that won’t happen the same way twice. Come ready to listen differently for an afternoon.

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch on the library’s livestream. For disability accommodations, call 479-856-7250 or email [email protected] 2-3 weekdays before the program.