Take the mesmerizing rhythm of spoken word verse and add the percussive magic of drums and you get the genre-blending marriage of poetry and jazz. Marcus Amaker and Quentin Baxter perform “The New Foundation” with an intuitive syncope that is both riveting and inspiring.

Poet and graphic designer Marcus Amaker is the inaugural Poet Laureate of the City of Charleston. He is the author of six books of poetry, and has recorded a jazz/spoken word album with his co-performer, Grammy-Nominated drummer Quentin E. Baxter.

Baxter is a former music professor at the College of Charleston, music producer and world-renowned drummer who tours regularly with Rene Marie and Freddy Cole, among others. He has recorded a jazz/spoken word album with his co-performer, Marcus Amaker, the inaugural Poet Laureate of the City of Charleston.