One Breath Rising presents a reading from poet E.J. Antonio and Bassist Larry Roland
440 Gallery’s jazz and spoken word series curated by Darryl Alladice

As a child growing up in Harlem, poet E.J. Antonio traces her ambitions to be a storyteller and jazz singer back to her love of words. E.J. was known in her family as the writer, visual artist, and the one interested in dance and theater. She began writing poetry twelve years ago to relieve stress and her work has received recognition throughout the New York region from numerous organizations and venues such as the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Harvard Club and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Antonio’s published work includes pieces in African Voices Literary Magazine, Black Renaissance Noire, the Mom Egg and Cave Canem Anthologies XII and XIII.

Bassist, composer and poet Larry Roland merges his poetry with music to form a unique combination of art and commentary that blends the European literal with the oral tradition of the African in America. “Sayin’ & Playin” since the late seventies in Boston and NYC, this self-taught writer/bassist has performed with notables that include Charles Gayle, Joe McPhee and Daniel Carter. Roland has been involved with the “Jazz Poetry Choir, The Arts For Arts Collective, and currently heads up “Neo Urban Folk Project” as a bandleader.

Suggested donation $10