This morning on the eleven o'clock hour we will be joined on the liveline by Al Young from his home in Berkeley, California. Poet, essayist and novelist and screenwriter, Mr. Young is also one of the foremost contributors to the historical biography of jazz. A pre-eminent figure in the literature of the United States, Mr. Young is the author of the classic Sitting Pretty as well as what might be rightly called the first blues novel, Snakes. Born in Mississippi, raised in Detroit, Mr. Young is a true American original. He will be sharing his insights and commentary on our new President, the poem, I, Too, by Langston Hughes, and whatever else the day might recommend. His most recent book is titled Something About the Blues, and comes with a CD of the poet reading his work.

Also this morning we will return to the music of the great bassist, composer and arranger Charles Mingus, with special emphasis on the albums East Coasting, featuring pianist Bill Evans, and Mingus Revisted, sometimes known as Pre-Bird, featuring the large orchestral work, Halfmast Inhibition.

You can visit Mr. Young on the web at alyoung.org