Our Jazz Poetry Finale welcomes artists who bring the spirit of this festival into the future: the Hip Hop Orchestra and our 2023 Youth Poet Laureates and Ambassadors, Rho Bloom-Wang, Aja Lynn, Jade Davis, and Audrey Alling. Jazz and hip hop have been connected in many ways since the latter’s very inception. Their collaboration and mutual influence as genres has only grown with time, bringing jazz to a new generation and bringing new visions to the production of jazz. Who better to lead us into this future than the youth? Equipped with all the tools of those who came before them and all the creativity of fresh minds, this generation’s budding beginnings have already produced uniquely poignant art. Joyful to provide a platform for such strong voices, we present this inspiring finale, knowing it is only the beginning.

Hip Hop Orchestra is a diverse, multigenerational creative ensemble meeting weekly to create, collaborate, produce and perform their music. Hip Hop Orchestra is a music instruction and performance program providing teaching artists, young adult and older teen mentors, and youth with a means of learning, creating, performing, and sharing current original music works.

Rho Bloom-Wang is a 16-year-old student, writer, and activist. As an editor for Starry False Lily and Plaid Magazine, they believe literary art is essential for both individual growth and interpersonal change. Devoted to issues of social and environmental justice, Rho has collaborated on projects that address issues of air quality, criminal justice, and gender-based inequities in athletics. They recently co-organized a national event highlighting transgender art, writing, and existence as a form of resistance to anti-trans legislation. Rho is a winner of the Oakland Sidewalk Poetry Contest and the recipient of a Gold Medal from the Alliance for Art and Writing. You can find their work in The Lumiere Review, Qommunity’s Revive, Saturday Light Brigade, and elsewhere. You may also find them immersed in mountains, books, and Mandarin.

Aja Lynn is 17 and is a senior at Hampton High School. She has always loved writing and has realized spoken-word poetry as her preferred way to navigate her thoughts. Whether it’s competing in arts competitions or starting “Showcase Club” (a space for all artists to share their work) with her friend Audrey, you can find Aja engaging with poetry. With this being her second year as a part of the Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County program, Aja is excited to participate in more readings, develop her writing, and learn from more fellow poets!

Jade Davis is not only a poet, but an activist. They fight to protect the world against climate change, environmental racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Currently, Jade participates in all their volunteer activities from Bridgeville Pennsylvania. They are an award winning poet, with several accolades such as an MLK Jr. second place poetry award, an honorable mention in the Ralph Munn competition, and a silver mentalin the style of performed poetry with the NAACP ACT-SO Program. Besides poetry, Davis enjoys helping out at Woodville, a local historic landmark, and leading their LGBTQIA+ club, Vibrant Shades.

Audrey Alling is a senior at Hampton High School. She has always found refuge in literature and art, and in more recent years she has identified and honed her interest for poetry. Spoken word, specifically, has made a considerable impact on her life, inspiring her to expand her involvement in theater and also found a club—alongside her friend and classmate Aja—dedicated to providing students with a safe space to showcase art of all forms for the community. Aside from writing, Audrey partakes in other forms of art, such as ceramics and mixed media. She finds herself endlessly grateful for the opportunity to bring ideas to life through this outlet of expression. Audrey ardently anticipates the remainder of this year as a Youth Poet Ambassador of Allegheny County and all the opportunities awaiting her to share her work!

CODA: The Future of Jazz Poetry