DEBORAH SMITH
Deborah Smith, a trombonist, performer, composer/arranger, educator, student, and bandleader, hailing from Bridgeport, Connecticut, discovered her passion for the trombone at age 1
Welcome to
SOJP RADIO
Jazz & Poetry Inspiration
Welcome to Spotlight on Jazz & Poetry
Your #1 stop for the best worldwide and local Jazz music, Talented and legendary artists along with entertaining and unforgettable events and performances.
Step into a world where rhythm meets rhyme, where melodies and verses intertwine to create an unforgettable artistic experience. Spotlight on Jazz & Poetry is your gateway to the soulful sounds of jazz, the power of spoken word, and the vibrant energy of musical performances.
Discover local and global artists as we showcase their talents, celebrate creativity, and bring communities together through the universal language of music and poetry. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado, a poetry lover, or an artist looking to share your voice, this is your stage.
Explore. Experience. Enjoy. The spotlight is on you.
Featured Artist
James C Ellerbe
A native of New Jersey, currently resides there with his wife. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Network Administration from Gibbs College (formerly in Livingston, New Jersey), which he obtained after graduating from Hackensack High School. In 2014, Ellerbe established Not Enough Words LLC, a company that encompasses his poetry-related endeavors.
Ellerbe has performed at prestigious venues, including BET’s Buy The Book and a non-taped edition of the renowned Showtime at the Apollo showcase. He represented the New Jersey team at the inaugural spoken word event at Poetic Battles.
Additionally, his performances have been showcased at esteemed venues such as the Kola Note (home of the Montreal, Canada Jazz festival), Elizabeth High School, Rutgers University, NJIT, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Sarah Lawrence College. His talent extended to radio, as he also graced the airwaves with his performances on WLIB Radio NYC.
Ellerbe’s literary accomplishments have been recognized with a nomination for the 2017 Indie Author Legacy Award for Poet of the Year.
He has also been featured as an author at the BCCLS Books NJ 2015 and 2017 Book Festivals held at Paramus Library in Paramus, New Jersey.
His literary works include the three-act play “A Dream Preserved,” which he wrote and co-produced, and his debut poetry collection, Beyond the Event Horizon, published in 2015.
His first spoken word album, Pulsar, was released by Not Enough Words LLC in 2018. Recently, his work has been featured in the anthology “On the Verge: Poets of the Palisades III,” published by The Poet’s Press in 2020.
Ellerbe’s contributions extend beyond the written word. He has dedicated himself to sharing his expertise by conducting workshops on writing poetry and self-publishing for students and aspiring authors.
Furthermore, he founded www.NJPoetryEvents.com
Check out James C Ellerbe - Pulsar
Upcoming Event
Fish Fry Fundraiser!!
Reward your tastebuds by partaking delicious fried fish and more on June 7th, 2025. Join us for a day of fantastic food, music and great vibes for a good cause!!
Past Events
SOJP Rare Grooves Event
At our last event, We had a BLAST! Check out some of the highlights or check the whole scene below