A blue light, filters throughout the room. The spotlight dances in silhouette over the microphone. The crowd is enveloped by the intrigue, wonder and essence of spoken word. There is a moment of silence, before that first line, rhyme or expression is said. Vanilla Soul a.k.a. Luke Smiraldo is one of the best wordsmiths in the Pacific northwest. He is an incredibly gifted artist and poet; he is also very supportive of other local artforms.

He is a dedicated member of a group out of Tacoma uniquely titled, "Radical Jazz Uprising". Musica spoke with him via telephone in early September.

Melissa - How did Radical Jazz get started?

Luke - I met with Hank Witherspoon who played sax for his gospel group, Witherspoon and I talked to him about a fusion between music and spoken word. Hank liked the idea and we invited musicians and several poets into the group. We've been at this for about a year and a half now. We perform regularly at Shakabrah on 6th Ave in Tacoma on the second and fourth Thursday of each month along with hosting an open mic and occasional feature. Only Hank, myself and Nikki Periera are original members of the group. Everyone else has joined us since we started.

Melissa - Tell me what is unique about Radical Jazz Uprising as opposed to any other spoken word group?

Luke - We are not aware of any jazz/spoken word fusion group in the region. We tend to invite a lot of musical improvisation as well so that we are constantly discovering new grooves to go with our spoken works. We are also laying out several socio/political expressions and have addressed a whole multitude of things from the spread of AIDS in Africa to abuse and recovery messages to black nationalism, Latino identity to embracing the sensuality of thick and beautiful body types. We also enjoy some love pieces and some sensual jams. We have been finding that our fans don't fit into a single demographic. We've have people following us from teenagers, 40 somethings, and retired rebels. Because we have three different voices: Vanilla Soul, Nikki Periera, and Eimaj Norel, along with some great musicians, it's not unusual for a fan to gravitate to one of the artists in particular. We appeal to a lot of folks who may not have a lot in common with each other.

Melissa - In your opinion, how is Poetry different from Spoken Word?

Luke - Spoken word involves considerably more risk and energy. The good spoken word poets often lay themselves out there - they put emotion, body gesture, anger, love, rage and voice rhythms into their work. We love them because of the risk and because they work up a level. Poetry readings can be stimulating but often times you don't feel the level of risk or performance at a typical poetry reading.

Melissa - Luke, please finish this sentence, "The future of spoken word is going to involve."

Luke - Pushing new frontiers as poets begin to experiment even more with sound and movement. It is also becoming a bastion of free speech and may be seen as increasingly subversive. The Patriot Act is one strategy along a continuum to narrow the range of debate. Spoken word artists tend to push the political. and social agenda in ways that may give people a sense they aren't alone and that they have real power. This, however does not lead to obedient citizens and in the current climate this is going to create some friction if more folks begin to follow up on the messages laid out on the mics.

Melissa - Other than self expression, how does Spoken Word appeal to you?

Luke - The personal risk, the fact that you really begin to experience performers as musical instruments with their own sounds, inflections, rhythms and truth seekers. At its best the work is both raw and refined. Folks like Seattle's Buddy Wakefield and Bay area's Marc Bamuthi Joseph are two artists that should be considered major artists for this time but because of the genre they don't get that mainstream recognition. These folks and so many more grab you on the first line and you're with them until they finish. At its best spoken word is like evocation it transforms the room and the listener and things aren't quite the same when they finish.

Melissa - Can Spoken Word make a difference in our community?

Luke - Yes, of course. Spoken Word gives people permission to publicly embrace what they think and where they come from. It opens minds and helps several artists find the sources of their power and vision. It also shakes things up, pisses people off, gets them in touch with their private sadness, seduces, reveals and dismantles and celebrates. If the aim is to subvert the culture from surrounding people in distractions until they are numb, then spoken word is pretty important wherever it pops up.

Melissa Noelle Green is a published poet who resides in the Seattle area. She is the author of "My Soul Says Yes" and "My Pen, My Art, My Soul". www.melissanoellegreen.com