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Zemill
Poet, author, lyricist and musician…these are all elements of artistry that merge to form Zemill.? One of the most versatile artists on the spoken word and poetry scene today, view morePoet, author, lyricist and musician…these are all elements of artistry that merge to form Zemill.? One of the most versatile artists on the spoken word and poetry scene today, Zemill is dominating the mic with his innovative musical and poetry stylings inspired by the father of jazz and poetry fusion, Langston Hughes.? Famous for his ability to not only engage but interact with audiences during his live shows, Zemill is spreading the word from coast to coast.
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After thirty-years in corporate America, Zemill decided it was time to take control of his destiny and pursue his poetic passions.? “A few years ago, the company I work for began downsizing, and though I made the cut to keep my job, it was a sobering realization that regardless of my years of loyalty, I had been placed on the chopping block. That motivated me to start planning my future and pursuing my own personal dreams,” Zemill explains.? He took the compilation of poems and lyrics he had accumulated over a lifetime of writing and pulled several poems together for his book Thoughts in Vision: Poetic Works of Love, Life and Inspiration.?
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In 2012, Zemill began promoting the book through a series of readings at small gatherings, book clubs and private homes where he received positive feedback and was encouraged to begin showcasing his work on a larger scale.? Having reached a point in his artistic pursuits of wanting to take things to the next level, Zemill began to study the art of spoken word and poetic performance. “I always admired spoken word artists, and I was comfortable speaking in front of people because of my job,” says Zemill. “I was ready to grow and get better; so, I began going to different shows and watching other poets and studying what they did and how they performed. I also started thinking about the kind of poetry I wanted to do and how to put those words into action in a way that would really connect with audiences.”? Zemill made the daunting transition from scribe to performer through daily practice and total commitment to honing his skills on the mic.? That same year, Zemill took to the stage for the first time to perform at an open mic night at Brooklyn’s Jazz Café. Zemill took the audience on a lyrical journey with topics ranging from inspirational to erotic, love and romance to the?streets and social consciousness.? His powerful words which ebbed and flowed on the rhythm and beats of his original music and left the audience snapping, clapping and begging for more from the dynamic new artist.? “I learned a lot from that first show,” recounts Zemill. “The audience was very receptive, but I knew I needed to work on my style and my delivery. I learned that I had to recite the poems not according to what I felt they should be, but how the inspiration led me to present them.”
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Zemill continued to set the poetry community on fire with live performances at venues around the country including The Apache in Atlanta, Houston’s National Black Book Festival, ASCAP convention in Los Angeles, International Poetry Festival in Austin and Dallas’ prestigious Black Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2013, he released his first poetry CD, In the Mix produced with long time musical collaborator Joel McCray. “I always tell Joel that I waited twenty years to find someone with his musical talent,” says Zemill. “I can give him a note, and he can write me a symphony.? I’ve always been musically inclined, and as a lyricist, I hear words, music and melodies; so, I wanted to make an album where the poetry would ride on the rhythm and feel of the music like a roller coaster instead of the music simply accompanying the words. Joel and I definitely created that feeling with In the Mix.” ??The album boasts two CDs and 30 tracks including the audience favorite “You Are My Kryptonite” and his poem “To My Sisters” celebrating strong women of color.
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In addition to performing on stage, Zemill has taken his messages of life and inspiration to the classroom, places of worship and community outreach programs with poems like “Relevance” which encourages one to “Run when there is no race…Try when you don’t think you can. If you don’t win the race, make them know you ran.”? Words Zemill himself has truly taken to heart. Poised and ready to take his work to even higher ground, Zemill continues to draw inspiration from all facets of life. “Part of my growth process has also been the realization that the inspiration is good enough because it comes from a place beyond us, and it comes from just living life,” he expounds. “Whether I’m inspired to write about love or passion or heartache or what’s going on in the world, it’s not my job to interpret the message but to deliver it as it comes to me.” Audiences are definitely receiving the message and loving the Zemill PoJazz experience which is a fusion of Jazz, R&B and Poetry. One fan recently gushed, “Will You Stay unveils the realness from the heart of a man in love… the melody was as sweet kisses to my heart that made me want to cry. Thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you for sharing.”
Currently, Zemill is promoting his silky cool and hot sophomore Project "Timeless" A Jazzy, Poetic R&B Ride. Coming to iTunes , Amazon on Demand, Emusic, Bandcamp, and his personal Web Site beginning November 5th and full release, November 20, 2015. He's taken The PoJazz Experience, which again is the blending of Smooth Jazz, Smooth R&B, Neo Soul and Lyrical Poetry to another level. The music is crisp, soothing and moving. One writer wrote his music is "Fire". The words stir the heart, mind, soul and senses. The Sax and Piano will serenade you. ?Zemill states, "My goal is to give you quality sound and content. A different vibe and a stimulating journey worth exploring. Music that fills the space of whatever mood you choose." "Melodies that lift your spirit and make you smile and feel good." Catch updates and interviews on his Facebook Page under E. Arabis Zemill, and Zemill's PoJazz Experience, on Twitter, @Zemill, and Instagram - ZemillsPoJazz. He's also putting the finishing touches on his second book entitled?Love Unleashed: The Fire and Passion of Poetry, due for release in March. He's finished his first Play and also writing the Treatment for his first movie. ?Eclectic and Electric, Zemill is a true Renaissance Man. ?For more information or to join his mailing list and become a PoJazzist, visit AttentionRequired.com.?
"Indulge in The PoJazz Experience" - Zemill?view less