This summer of Wednesday Night Verses at Bohemian Caverns has been nothing short of amazing. The amount of talent, the packed rooms, and just genuine jamming out has been one for the books. This Wednesday should be no different. I know many of your are back on your school grind, but if you can, please come out and support! Terrence Cunningham just featured in Richmond’s Well Versed, and if you’ve been on my blog, you should be VERY familiar with the boys of Brokn.Englsh. If you’ve rocked with the few songs of theirs that I featured, you should DEFINITELY come to see them live!

Click to view slideshow.

I’m so excited to see Flo perform tonight!! Her voice makes you want to throw things (in a good way). If you’re free, you need to be here!!

Same place, different vibe…
I am so happy those days are gone (and so are my feet). I look forward to Fridays, but for different reasons now. I have standing appointments with this Unplugged series at the Park in D.C. My friends know that it takes a LOT to get me there, but whenever the lineup matches what’s playing in my playlist, I’m THERE! Long gone are the days of buying Friday night freakums and torturing myself in a pair of my sky high pumps. I’ve opted for a functional flat, a flirty ensemble, mixed company, and LIVE (free) music.

Walk in her shoes…
It’s been a while since we’ve heard new music from Emily King, and perhaps it’s because she was living, growing, and writing DOPE music. I’ve been following her on Twitter, hoping to see signs of new projects, and alas it’s finally here! She recently released an EP, Seven, and it was definitely worth the wait. She was the spotlight artist recently, and I managed to capture some footage of her performances. Here are two of my favorite songs from the EP. Check them out, and please get your copy!!

This is the most focused I’ve been on all things regarding ME in a long time; I’m loving every bit of it! There are a few things that I find myself hesitating to confront head on, but I know that it’s only a matter of time before I have to. I’m consciously working on being proactive instead of reactive. Today’s post is dedicated to those who know what they have to do. You can’t keep runnin! This is a video I recorded from the wonderful 6th annual “DC Loves Dilla” event. The band and Pharcyde KILLED it!! I heart musicianship even though I can’t play an instrument to save my life. Enjoy the video, think about some things you need to work on, and bust a move.

I’m working on my “merch” for the blog. The House of Jaz brand is slowly becoming recognizable. I debuted these “Artist.Poet.MusicLover” buttons at my show. They were a hit! If you’ve purchased a button from the show, take a pic and send to hojdmv@gmail.com. I’d love to see all of my artist.poet.musiclovers out there!!

::One of my friends rocking my #hoj buttons with FREESTYLE! This Way (Levi Stephens) painting in the background::

I know I haven’t posted in a while. I’d like to avoid using any cliches that refer to me being “on my grind” or “making moves”, but I have been in a state of reflection. I must admit, I’m still high from my show at Bohemian Caverns. It felt awesome to have my family front row center, to hear chants of my friends and colleagues, to be able to share my heart with everyone in the form of spoken word, and to have my art as the backdrop.

It still baffles me how I’ve been able to conjure words to articulate the mumbles of my heart; it baffles me even more to know that I (a “part-time poet”) know enough people who WANT to hear my words and see my work.  To everyone who traveled to see me and cheered me on in spirit, THANK YOU and STAY TUNED!

I am not gonna lie and pacify
I am arms to hold
I am lips to speak
I am a muthafucking “G”

Strong legs that stroll off the 33 bus
or out of a money green Phantom comfortably
Knees that bend to pray
clean from Ajax washings
hair that is thick and soft
Thigh that betwixt
an amazing all expense grand prize

I am eyes that sing
smile that brightens
touch that rings
and supply euphoric release
I am a Grand Dame Queen Beast

I am warm
I am peace
From the roads of Botswana to 23rd Street
From the inside third eye
ever watching this wicked wicked system of things
I do see

I am friend to pen
and a lover of strong women
A Diamond to men
I am curious and interested like children
I welcome the wise to teach
appreciator of my culture
Thick not just from bone dense and eat

I have a rhythm in my ways
and a practice in my seek
and yes I do crave the rhythm of my space
with a man that rejoices in God’s Grace

with faith I do hear to listen
two hands that fist
when forced pushes to shove
and your ego won’t submit

I am gifted
I am all of this
and indeed the Shit

Clearly I am not just an ass