California Poet Laureate Al Young Returns to South Pasadena

by Steve Fjeldsted, City Librarian

On Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room will showcase illustrious California State Poet Laureate Al Young and the Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz group for a return engagement. A year ago he read (and even sang) to an appreciative, enthusiastic audience who filled the venue on the date proclaimed as “California State Poet Laureate Day” by the South Pasadena City Council.

Al Young’s wondrous poems and warm, vibrant recitations (and singing) were artfully accompanied by the Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz ensemble. Young later declared the show one of the highlights of his lengthwise tour of the Golden State which concluded the next day at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival. Suezenne Fordham added that she considers their extemporaneous pairing in South Pasadena last year as one of the highly accomplished group’s high water marks. She promises an even larger combo this time around.

California was the first state to honor a Poet Laureate, conferring the honor upon Ina Donna Coolbrith in 1915. The poetry circle she founded still exists today. For the rest of the past century California honored various Poets Laureate with lifetime appointments. It wasn’t until 2001 that Sacramento enacted legislation that revamped the Poet Laureate program and gave it sharply defined public responsibilities, a 2-year term, and an appointing system. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger named Al Young as the successor to Quincy Troupe in 2005.

To put it mildly, Al Young, has been an extremely popular choice. Outgoing and blessed with magnetic communication skills, he possesses the ability to inspire audience members of a broad spectrum of backgrounds and sensibilities. Young has written over 20 books during his illustrious career, including his most recent, Something About The Blues, currently #1 in several categories on amazon.com. His many honors include two American Book Awards, roughly equivalent to one individual winning two Super Bowl MVP trophies. As a screenwriter he’s worked with Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier, and Richard Pryor.

The free Author Night program is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, the Arroyo Vista Inn, and the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. The Library Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Doors open at 6:30 and refreshments will be provided by the Friends.