The Jazz Poet is a conglomeration of whispers from the other side.  I borrowed certain
aspects of Langston's personality so that the reproduction of his image would reflect youth,
wisdom, charm, humor, spirituality and sensitivity.  As I finished embroidering the Narrative
Block, I had much more to say about him.  It seemed fitting, therefore, to allow the needle to
remain in the quilt.

Cotton, velvet, taffeta, leather and synthetic fabrics, applique, stumpwork, hand and machine
embroidery, machine quilting, water color, acrylic paint, buttons, sequins, ribbon. 55" x 55".  2002.

Digital Image: Bill Dutkovic
This quilt, The Jazz Poet, was created for the Children's Defense Fund to celebrate
Langston Hughes' gifts as poet and children's author.  The Children's Defense Fund
(founded by Marian Wright Edleman) is located on the former Alex Haley farm in
Clinton, Tennessee.  The CDF's Langston Hughes Library is a private,
non-circulating, 5,000-volume reference collection and reading room, dedicated in
March 1999. In August 2002, the CDF honored the life and writings of Mr. Hughes
with a national celebration.
The Jazz Poet was made possible through
the generous contribution of
The Surdna Foundation.
Suggested Reading:

The Block, Collage by Romare Bearden,
Poems by Langston Hughes

The Dream Keeper and Other Poems
by Langston Hughes

The Langston Hughes Reader,
Selected Writings of Langston Hughes

Popo and Fifina
Arna Bontemps & Langston Hughes

The Sweet and Sour Animal Book
by Langston Hughes
For Listening:

Weary Blues
Langston Hughes
With Charles Mingus and Leonard Feather
. . .dig, and
be dug in
return.
Langston
Hughes