“Rolled Sleeves” – Terrance Underwood’s poems inspired by the jazz photographs of Steve Schapiro

Terrance Underwood has released a collection of poems inspired by the jazz photography of Steve Schapiro, capturing the essence of the 1960s New York jazz scene. The poems respond to images from the recently published book JAZZ: Best of the Apollo, Village Vanguard, and Riverside Sessions, which features over 300 of Schapiro’s selected photographs from more than 20,000 negatives.

Steve Schapiro, who passed away in 2022, is recognized for his intimate and candid portrayal of jazz musicians during a formative period in the genre’s history. His photographs, taken in venues such as the Apollo Theater, Village Vanguard, and Riverside sessions, document moments both onstage and backstage, conveying the relaxed yet intense atmosphere of jazz performance.

Underwood’s poetic work attempts to mirror the singular moments captured by Schapiro’s camera, focusing on the informal and personal side of jazz artists. The poems emphasize details such as musicians’ gestures, expressions, and surroundings, portraying the intimacy behind the music and the environment in which it was created.

Among the figures featured in the poems are Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, and Paul Motian, whose casual backstage moments are rendered with a poignant awareness of their historical context. The imagery of shared cigarettes, scattered sheet music, and quiet exchanges highlights a human side to the celebrated artists.

Underwood, a retired engineer with a lifelong passion for jazz fostered by early experiences with his father’s record collection, brings a rhythmic sensibility to his poetry that resonates with jazz’s improvisational nature. His work has garnered recognition, including a Pushcart Prize nomination in 2024 from the publication that first showcased this project.

The collaboration between Underwood’s writing and Schapiro’s photography creates a layered cultural artifact that honors the legacy of jazz through two expressive media. This partnership underscores the continued relevance of jazz history and its ability to inspire contemporary artistic expressions.

The photos that informed Underwood’s poems originate from Schapiro’s vast archive of New York jazz images from the early 1960s, a period of significant artistic development in the genre. The selected images reflect moments of preparation, camaraderie, and reflection among musicians, offering a counterpoint to the public spectacle of performance.

This poetic project aligns with a broader interest in jazz documentation and interpretation, joining other initiatives that celebrate the Harlem Renaissance and other key cultural moments tied to jazz. The poems act as a bridge, translating visual cues into lyrical form and deepening the emotional impact of the historic photographs.

The publication of these poems and the accompanying photographic collection invites renewed attention to Steve Schapiro’s contribution to jazz history, positioning his visual work as a source of inspiration beyond photography alone. The book and poems together serve as a testament to the vibrant life of jazz during a pivotal era.

Terrance Underwood’s background as a global engineer contrasts with his deep engagement with jazz arts, illustrating how diverse personal histories can converge around shared cultural passions. His poetic response to Schapiro’s work demonstrates how jazz continues to resonate across disciplines and generations.

Further materials connected to Underwood’s poetry include other collections and readings available through the same outlet that featured the current project. His work encourages an interdisciplinary appreciation of jazz that combines literary art with visual history.

The release of this collection reflects ongoing interest in archival jazz materials and artistic reinterpretation, suggesting a sustained market and audience for nuanced explorations of jazz heritage. The collaboration highlights how jazz’s cultural footprint extends into contemporary poetry and visual arts.

While details on the full extent of Schapiro's photo archive's future publication plans remain unconfirmed, the current book and related projects mark a significant moment in jazz memorabilia preservation. These efforts contribute to the endurance of jazz culture in public memory and artistic discourse.