Ishmael Reed

Ishmael Reed (b. 1938), full name Ishmael Scott Reed, is a US poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, composer, playwright, editor and publisher. He is known for his satirical works challenging American political culture. Mumbo Jumbo (1972) is his best known unorthodox novel.

Wisdom & Quotes

• The universe is a spiraling Big Band in a polka-dotted speak-easy, effusively generating new light every one-night stand.

- cited in Jim Haskins, The Cotton Club

Ayi Kwei Armah