Alphabet Jazz: Poetry, Prose, Stories, and Songs

Paul Metsa is a legendary musician, songwriter, author, social activist, and dog lover. Huffington Post called him "The other great folksinger from Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range." He has released 12 original recording projects since 1984, played over 5,000 professional gigs, and has won 7 MN Music Awards. His autobiography Blue Guitar Highway (University of MN Press-2011) garnered great reviews and Kirkus Review said "Metsa is as likeable a narrator as ever graced a barstool."

Alphabet Jazz is a collection of poetry, prose, stories, and songs that Metsa wrote between 1984 and 2022. Metsa describes it as "a personal diary of sorts- midnight blasts of inspiration, love letters in poem, personal tributes to musicians and friends who have passed on, true stories, letters to the editor and friends, and songs I have written along the way that I still perform." The book includes a free digital download of 14 original Metsa songs, both studio and live performances. His two talented rescue dogs Blackie (RIP) and Blue both contribute pieces as well. As Metsa grew up on the Iron Range and was influenced by fellow Iron Ranger Bob Dylan, there are several pieces about Dylan including a sweet tribute to Larry Kegan, a life long friend of Dylan's and a great friend to Metsa as well. There are several tributes to legendary Minnesota music makers like Willie Murphy, Wee Willie Walker, Bill HInkley, Jeanne Peterson, Monty Lee Wilkes and more. Metsa describes Alphabet Jazz as "overall a valentine to the city of Minneapolis, where over the course of 40 years found inspiration and friendship in every corner of town."

Though Metsa always likes to say, "the beauty of obscurity is you never go out of style" his journey has seen him perform on big stages like Farm Aid V in Dallas, Texas in 1992,the Tribute to Woody Guthrie at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Million Mom March in Washington, DC in 1999. For most of his 40 year career, he has performed in nightclubs and theaters across Minnesota. He has also organized and performed at hundreds of benefits for progressive political causes, people in need, and a variety of environmental and animal shelter fundraisers. He also hosts both a radio and television show based in the Twin Cities. The City of Minneapolis awarded him a Mayoral Declaration for Paul Metsa Day on December 22, 2019. He currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota with his faithful rescue dog Blue, with cupboards full of vintage postcards and cassettes, and a house full of records, books, and guitars. You can find out more about him and order his music at www.paulmetsa.com