Al Young, California State Poet Laureate to Appear at the South Pasadena Library

The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library are proud to present California State Poet Laureate Al Young for a free, fun Author Night Program on April 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street. This will be Mr. Young's first appearance after his California State Library sponsored "Top to Bottom" tour of the of the Golden State's outlying rural areas. It will also be his only public reading during his trip to Southern California, although he will be a panelist at the Los Angeles Times Book Fair the next day. No tickets are necessary and during April, a display of many of Al Young's books can be seen at the Library.

Mr. Young's impressive literary record includes novels, poetry, essays, memoirs, and anthologies. He has been a poet, writer, teacher, and lecturer throughout his storied literary career. As a screenwriter Young has worked with Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, and Richard Pryor. His book Bodies and Soul: Musical Memoirs won the American Book Award in 1981. His latest is the recently published Coastal Nights and Inland Afternoons.

In March 2005, a panel of literary experts convened to review the 26 finalists for the position of California Poet Laureate. Three final names were forwarded to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who appointed Al Young as Poet Laureate. "He is an educator and a man with a passion for the Arts. His remarkable talent and sense of mission to bring poetry into the lives of Californians is an inspiration," said Governor Schwarzenegger. The California Poet Laureate's role is to publicize the art of poetry and encourage literacy and learning in the state.

Al Young of Berkeley is well known for his distinctive style and performances with jazz artists, so it should come as no surprise that a topnotch combo, the Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz Piano Trio, will be opening the show with their distinctive musical stylings. The group also includes Noah Garabedian, contrabass, and Darren Ross, drums and percussion, and will be backing Mr. Young's readings as well. All three musicians play Tibetan percussion instruments. Coincidentally, April is both National Poetry Month and National Jazz Month.

The program is also sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc . with funding from the James Irvine Foundation. Special thanks to Artists' Inn and California Arts Council.