Steven Kessler has been doing it for years legendary—Poet, translator, and editorial troublemaker Santa Cruzin is the recipient of the 2023 Santa Cruz County Arts Commission Artist of the Year Award. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Kessler has produced over a dozen original poems, 16 literary translations, three collections of essays, and impeccably crafted publications, from the golden age of alternative journalism to today’s dailies. He has written countless opinion columns in newspapers. .

As publisher and editor of numerous literary and community magazines, Kessler has won awards, captivated admirers and infuriated critics. Despite his versatility, most of us know him as a poet. “It was a no-brainer,” he admits. “It came and got me.”

He also admits that the term “poet” seems like a silly label, especially since there is no cultural support for being a poet. Poetry plays such a peripheral role in our culture. But it is a high mission. I wanted to be part of that company that excited me when I was younger. ”

Ferlinghetti, Frank O’Hara, Charles Bukowski, Kenneth Rexroth, Edna St. Vincent Millais, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Walt Whitman. These are one of his giant hall of fame.

“I like to call myself a writer, but poetry is central to my activity,” says Kessler.

Baudelaire had that in mind when he advised Kessler to always be a poet, even in prose. Poetry permeates his journalism.

“I don’t write conventional journalism,” he says. “Personal experience, nature, the events of the day, my world. I think people appreciate the poetry of my work.”

Kessler embodies Nietzsche’s view that poets make use of their own experiences. He has been an award-winning translator of Spanish poetry for decades.

“I learned more from translation than from reading, which broadens my scope and stimulates my poetry practice,” he says. “When you translate, you basically become an apprentice to the writer you are translating. It is a workshop. You play this stranger, and you take in the tone, the nuances, the style, the persona, the method school of poetic experience. I learned.”

Kessler gave up piano for baseball at the age of eight, but music continues to be a major influence on his work. “My poetry aims at music,” he says. “When I go to concerts, performances, and poetry readings, I want to be enchanted. I have a great ear for music, so I see writing as a way to process the experience.”

He also knows that the very word “read poetry” can put people to sleep.

“Good readers are key to keeping your audience engaged,” he says. And Kessler is an excellent reader. He keeps alive the swing that invigorates his poetry—jazz—most of which capitalizes on the poet’s adventures in true Nietzschean fashion. Kessler describes his work as “perfectly intuitive.” his latest collection Last order, It shows intuition and controlled improvisation.

When asked what made him better at his job, he didn’t hesitate to reply. Young writers often think it’s okay to sit down, but it just happens. But it takes practice, practice, practice. Practice builds your technical skills and helps you catch inspiration when it strikes. just like any other art. If you’re a pianist, you spend hours and hours of practice every day for years, and that’s what makes a great concert. ”

Kessler also admits that his writing is “a kind of compulsion.”i couldn’t no write. I always carry a pen and notebook with me. ”

He’s disillusioned with what’s being published these days and can’t stand the “noise of digital culture.”

But Kessler isn’t done yet and appreciates Santa Cruz’s arts community.

“I still write and enjoy it,” he says. “Poetry as a hobby is no worse than golf. ”

Steven Kessler’s 2023 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year presentation will be held Saturday, May 20, 7-9 p.m. at Kumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. free. kuumbwajazz.org

Steven Kessler’s Quick Key

Biggest professional mistake:

I knew I wanted to be famous before I realized how embarrassing it was.

What I read daily:

new york times

Best time:

He delivered a eulogy at his father’s funeral.

Biggest Regret:

You were unkind (many times) when you should have been kind and understanding.

Favorite food:

A really delicious Caesar salad.

Favorite poet:

Different things exist at different times for different reasons.

Best advice you’ve received:

George Hitchcock’s advice was not to go back to graduate school after my second leave of absence.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a writer:

musician? Psychotherapist? rabbi?

Favorite composer:

John Coltrane, Joaquin Rodrigo, Hoagy Carmichael, Antonin Dvorak, Duke Ellington and more.

Favorite thing about Santa Cruz: Good weather, lots of interesting and skilled people and the Kumbwa Jazz Center.