Magic Poetry Band

This band is a diverse collective of talents:

M.L. Liebler
Since 1980, M.L. Liebler has taught literature and liberal arts classes at Wayne State University, recently taking his "Beatles and Music" class for a week-long trip to Liverpool. He is the author of a number of books of poetry, including The Moon a Box, which won the 2005 Paterson Poetry Award for Excellence and Written in Rain: New and Selected Poems (2001 finalist for the Paterson Poetry Award). His upcoming book, Wide Awake in Someone Else's Dream, will be published by Wayne State University Press. Over the years he has performed his work with numerous musical luminaries, including Al Kooper, Country Joe McDonald, Jorma Kaukonen, Mike Watts and Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, along with the Magic Poetry Band. His poetry has taken him to Russia, Mexico, China, Israel, much of Europe including Great Britain and throughout the United States. In 2005, his hometown of St. Clair Shores, Michigan named him their first Poet Laureate. M.L. is the director of Metro Detroit Writers. founding director of the Writer's Voice Project and director of the Metro Detroit Writers' Organization.

Faruq Z. Bey
A founding member of the "greatest jazz band that never made it out of Detroit", he was the saxophone player for Griot Galaxy, known for its intricate and unusual metrical patterns. Since the late 1960's, Faruq has been a highly respected figure on the Detroit jazz scene, both as part of the experimental jazz movement and for his resiliency in the face of change. He has published both his own poetry and a book of musical theory. Albums to his credit include Kins and Opus Crampus, with Griot Galaxy; 19 Moons and Ashirai Patterns, with the Northwoods Improvisors and a host of others under his own name. In addition, he has worked with WDET-FM radio host and blues guitarist Robert Jones.

Ron English
During the 1960's, Ron was the guitarist for The Woolies (who scored a regional hit with their version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love"), a member of the Detroit Contemporary 5 and a guitarist and poet involved with the Detroit Artists Collective. His poetry was published in the Workshop's magazine, Work, and in 1970 was featured on a national public television jazz series along with Joe Williams, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and his own trio. He has backed both jazz artists such as Lyman Woodard and pop artists like Mary Wilson, the Four Tops and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and recorded with Gladys Knight and the Pips. He has also recorded and performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work with the Magic Poetry Band, Ron has worked as the Minister of Music at Rosedale Park Baptist Church. He has released a jazz and gospel CD, Psalm 150 Devotions

Jef Reynolds
Jef's experiences has taken him around the world, backing artists such as Lesley Gore, Lou Christie, Alex Chilton and Freddy "Boom-Boom" Cannon. Jef spent his formative years playing with a collection of great jazz musicians around Detroit, including legendary Funk Brother Joe Messina and Ralph Armstrong. He has also worked as an on-call session player at Cloudborne, Ron Rose and Producers Color Service Studios. He took part in the early recordings and productions of the songwriting team of Michael King and Gary Nester. Currently, Jef plays not only with the Magic Poetry Band, but also with Detroit Music Award nominees David Nefesh and Singer/Songwriter Jo Serrapere (A Prairie Home Companion). He also performs on occasion with his own Jef Reynolds Jazz Quartet.

Bill Hulet
Bill began playing drums at the tender age of six, and studied drums under the late Ray Parker at the East Detroit Conservatory of Music. After attending Western Michigan University, majoring in music, he commenced touring throughout the Midwest with countless bands, an experience that has made him both resilient and aware. He also has a number of recording projects to his credit. He was invited to the Magic Poetry Band as the resident beatnik drummer, and for whatever reason the Magic Poetry Band continues to be grateful that he accepted.