Word Jazz Creator Ken Nordine Has Died

Ken Nordine

Word Jazz creator Ken Nordine has died, at the age of 98.

Nordine (April 13, 1920 – February 16, 2019) had a long career in radio and as a voice-over artist. But he’s best known as the creator of ‘Word Jazz’ – his unique mix of poetry, musique concrète, sound design and jazz.

The original Word Jazz album was released in 1957. He brought Word Jazz to public radio in the 1970s, where it lived for four decades.

Here’s David Deyo‘s video for Nordine’s Infinite O’Clock:

9 thoughts on “Word Jazz Creator Ken Nordine Has Died

  1. I remember with fondness listening to Word Jazz on Community Radio KGNU in Boulder. There was something about that raw time in my life, and the free flowing richness of sound & poetry. I’m not sure how I’ll hear it now, but at the time, it was delicious and quirky.

    Now’s a good time to revisit that stuff and appreciate that time in my life.

    R.I.P. & thanks, Ken Nordine.

  2. First heard Ken’s work on WKSU’s “Fresh Air” program in the late ’70s. Been a fan ever since.

    So long, Ken, and thanks for all the good words. See you in Forevermore.

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