British crime writer describes jazz influences in England in "Brilliant Corners"

The jazz circles in England are peppered by evenings where sax, drums and horns punctuate poetry read by author John Harvey, best known for his crime novels. In a recent interview for “Brilliant Corners,” Harvey discusses the influence of jazz on him as a writer and his most famous character, detective Charlie Resnik.

Sascha Feinstein, Ph.D., professor of English and creative writing at Lycoming College, conducted the interview in London and coaxes Harvey to reveal the parallels between his personal jazz preferences and those of his character. Harvey also discusses jazz artists and movements that inspired his love for the genre.

Along with the interview, poetry shines as the main focus of the Summer 2017 issue of “Brilliant Corners,” including two pieces by Billy Collins, the former Poet Laureate of the United States, and a lengthy excerpt from a book-length poem by Yusef Komunyakaa, a founding board member for “Brilliant Corners” and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. Bill Tremblay, whose book “Shooting Script: Door of Fire” earned the ForeWard Magazine Silver Award and the Colorado Book Award for Poetry, shares a memoir about the influence of jazz on his formative years into adulthood.

Founded in 1996, “Brilliant Corners” is a biannual journal with a unique blend of literature about jazz, edited by Feinstein. A subscription costs $12 per year ($18 for international orders). Send check or money to Brilliant Corners, Lycoming College, 700 College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701. More information can be found at www.lycoming.edu/BrilliantCorners. Learn more about jazz in America by following Brilliant Corners on Facebook.

Published at Lycoming College, “Brilliant Corners” is funded in part by Lycoming College, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and private endowments.