On April 21, as part of the UVM Department of English’s “Music and Literature” series, Robert Pinsky, U.S. Poet Laureate (1997-2000), will perform an evening of poetry and jazz at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington. Pinsky is the author of acclaimed works of poetry, including An Explanation of America, The Figured Wheel, and his recently released, Selected Poems . In his role as a “civic” poet, Pinsky founded the Favorite Poem Project, appeared on The Simpsons and The Colbert Report, and has collaborated with musicians ranging from Bruce Springsteen to the Takacs String Quartet.

For this special performance, Pinsky will blend his distinctive poetic voice with the dynamic drumming of Rakalam Bob Moses, who has performed with everyone from Mingus to Metheny to former students, Medeski, Martin, and Wood. They are joined by soulful saxophonist  Robert Douglas Gay, whose notable credits include his recording work with Chaka Kahn and David Bowie. The performance by this trio is part Pinsky’s ongoing exploration of the interaction between language and music and his commitment to the belief that poetry is meant to heard and shared.

The performance is sponsored by the University of Vermont Department of English through the James and Mary Brigham Buckham Fund. It is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the performance begins at 8.