4/04/2011

Joan Andrea Hutchinson

Joan Andrea Hutchinson is an amazingly talented and versatile Jamaican poet. In addition to her poetry, she is also a teacher, motivational speaker, actress and storyteller. Joan has often been compared to the late Louise Bennett, Jamaican poet and storyteller, who wrote and performed in the Jamaican dialect.

Joan has a passion for preserving Jamaican culture and dialect, and her poems and CDs reflect the many proverbs and expressions unique to Jamaica. She continues to work with young Jamaicans throughout the island to highlight the island's rich cultural heritage.

The following are some of Joan's poetry collections and CDs:

Inna Mi Heart: Jamaican Love Poetry
Meck Mi Tell Yuh
Dat Bumpy Head Gal
Jamaica Kin Teeth
Everyting Jamaican
Jamaica Ridim and Ryme.

Joan also had a role in the play Laugh Jamaica. To date, as a testament to her talent, she has received the following awards:

Caribbean Hall of Fame Award for Excellence in the Peforming Arts
Jamaica Music Industry (JAMI) Award for Dub Poetry

Throughout this month, I will continue to shine the spotlight on Joan's writings. What are your thoughts? If you have read or listened to any of Joan's work, please let me know.

2 comments:

Herleen Kitson-Walters said...

I was blessed to hear Ms Joan read one of her poems as part of NDTC Easter morning performance 2024. Buck would have it and I we met up in the bathroom!
Ms Joan shared the poem on Facebook and now I can't help but try to get into her head. The title is an interesting one, especially at Easter. The appeal appears to be for all mothers, but yet see through the mother of Jesus' eyes. I have a church sister who lost her young adult son, and I feel that she would love this poem. There is hope and joy in it! Looking forward to becoming more familiar with Ms Hutchinson's work!

Yasmin Morais said...

Herleen, thanks so much for sharing this wonderful experience of meeting Joan Andrea Hutchinson. She is such a very talented poet and I love her work. Sorry to hear about the loss of your church sister's son. My sympathies. I hope you continue to read and enjoy Joan's other poems. Best wishes.