American poet
Michael C. Ford (born December 13, 1939) is an American poet, playwright, editor and recording artist.
Bio.
Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and moved with his parents to Pasadena, California toward the end of World War II. Between 1974 and 1977 he co-edited a prose/poetry journal called "The Sunset Palms Hotel". He also edited two anthology projects "The Mount Alverno" (Peace Press, 1971) and "Foreign Exchange" (Biographies, 1979).
He was influenced by Poet Kenneth Patchen in terms of integrating the spoken words with Jazz. Ford has done collaborative recordings with members of The Doors drummer John Densmore and pianist and keyboardist Ray Manzarek. He also has done collaborative recording with Trombonist Julian Priester. His debut spoken word record "Language Commando" earned a Grammy nomination in 1986.
His first reading of his poetry occurred at a Fund Raiser for Norman Mailer's run for Mayor of New York in 1969 with Jim Morrison lead singer The Doors and poets Jack Hirschman, Michael McClure and several Andy Warhol "Factory workers"
Styles and poetics.
The motif of many of Ford's works, be it collaborative cd recordings or written poetry is that he resurrects iconic figures ranging from actresses Susan Hayward, Dorothy McGuire to legendary jazzmen such as Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. His work conjures and preserves the ambience of woebegone days of Los Angeles, the neglected regions and landmarks from the Pacific Northwest to the shores of Lake Michigan, marking passages of time in America. Many of Ford's poetic narrations especially accompanied by former Doors drummer John Densmore would trace the roots of American music, mainly hardcore jazz. Ford’s 2014 release of spoken eleven poems album, "Look Each Other in the Ears", is another collaborative project of infusing notable musicians such as from The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and the late keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Ford’s poems also include accompaniment of choral singers and musicians Angelo Moore, Tommy Jordan from the band Geggy Tah. This album is another one produced by Harlan Steinberger at Hen House Studio in Venice, California.
References.
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