T. J. Anderson III

A poet, author, and literary critic, Anderson is professor of English at Hollins whose research interests include jazz poetry, African American literature, and the work of Aimé Césare. A former Fulbright Scholar, he lived in Cairo, Egypt, where he taught at Cairo University and conducted research on the influence of jazz on contemporary Egyptian music. He is the author of Devonte Travels the Sorry Route, At Last Round Up, River to Cross, and Notes to Make the Sound Come Right: Four Innovators of Jazz Poetry. In addition, Anderson has produced two poetry and music collaborations: The Mask (with William Bolcom) and Songs of Illumination (with T.J. Anderson Jr.), and the highly acclaimed spoken word CD, Blood Octave.

Professor Anderson describes his life’s “artistic journey, a journey that is rooted in African-American culture and American culture” in Devonte Travels the Sorry Route.

As part of WDBJ-7s Black History Month Special: Voices of Virginia, poet and Professor of English T.J. Anderson III presented his poem “Pretty Boy.”

His story