About the book
The poems in under the aegis of a winged mind are inspired by the life and times of the jazz composer and pianist Earl \"Bud\" Powell. Powell was a leading figure in the development of jazz, but throughout his life, he also faced struggles with police brutality, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental illness. In this collection, makalani bandele explores Powell's life through a blend of both formal and free verse persona poems. These poems are multivocal, with the speaker often embodying Powell himself and sometimes a close friend or family member, the spectator of a performance, or a fellow musician.
While the book follows the narrative of Powell's life, the poems are experimental in form and presentation. Playing with, reinventing, and restructuring poetic form, bandele draws on blues and jazz music theory to serve as a basis for much of the work's construction. He uses language to recreate the experience of music itself, and his poetry includes a multitude of references and allusion to music lyrics and other poems. As the book recounts Powell's life, it also explores how Black genius has encountered, struggled against, and developed mechanisms to cope with White supremacy in the United States. under the aegis of a winged mind won the 2019 Autumn House Press Poetry Prize.
Editions of Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781938769580
Read an Excerpt
The poems in under the aegis of a winged mind are inspired by the life and times of the jazz composer and pianist Earl \"Bud\" Powell. Powell was a leading figure in the development of jazz, but throughout his life, he also faced struggles with police brutality, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental illness. In this collection, makalani bandele explores Powell's life through a blend of both formal and free verse persona poems. These poems are multivocal, with the speaker often embodying Powell himself and sometimes a close friend or family member, the spectator of a performance, or a fellow musician.
While the book follows the narrative of Powell's life, the poems are experimental in form and presentation. Playing with, reinventing, and restructuring poetic form, bandele draws on blues and jazz music theory to serve as a basis for much of the work's construction. He uses language to recreate the experience of music itself, and his poetry includes a multitude of references and allusion to music lyrics and other poems. As the book recounts Powell's life, it also explores how Black genius has encountered, struggled against, and developed mechanisms to cope with White supremacy in the United States. under the aegis of a winged mind won the 2019 Autumn House Press Poetry Prize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind about?
The poems in under the aegis of a winged mind are inspired by the life and times of the jazz composer and pianist Earl \"Bud\" Powell. Powell was a leading figure in the development of jazz, but throughout his life, he also faced struggles with police brutality, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental illness. In this collection, makalani bandele explores Powell's life through a blend of both formal and free verse persona poems. These poems are multivocal, with the speaker often embodying Powell himself and sometimes a close friend or family member, the spectator of a performance, or a fellow musician.
While the book follows the narrative of Powell's life, the poems are experimental in form and presentation. Playing with, reinventing, and restructuring poetic form, bandele draws on blues and jazz music theory to serve as a basis for much of the work's construction. He uses language to recreate the experience of music itself, and his poetry includes a multitude of references and allusion to music lyrics and other poems. As the book recounts Powell's life, it also explores how Black genius has encountered, struggled against, and developed mechanisms to cope with White supremacy in the United States. under the aegis of a winged mind won the 2019 Autumn House Press Poetry Prize.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems
Where can I read a sample of Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781938769580
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind?
makalani bandele
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind is available as paperback(ISBN 9781938769580)
Where can I buy Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind from below
Where can I buy Under the Aegis of a Winged Mind?