NSide Out

NSide Out

Norman A. Woods aka jazz/poet N-Side is a performing jazz/poet, screenwriter and music publisher from the S.F. Bay area. A native of Berkeley, California, he has always had an aspiration to be an artist of some description and has always supported the arts in some way emotionally, financially and resourcefully.

Some say he has seen it all. From Jimi Hendrix plays Berkeley to the Silicon Valley explosion. In his own word he would say, “Seen a lot, heard a lot, done a lot, had fun a lot and everything in between!  From Vietnam anti-war protest to rainy days of homelessness

N-Side’s poetic work is done in a traditional style, which reflects his love of poetry from the “Harlem Renaissance” era. Most of his poetry is influenced by the writing of Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, Arna Bontemps, Countee Cullen and so on. His contemporary jazz influences include, but are not limited to, Red Garland, Donald Byrd, Gil Scott-Heron and his favorite poet, Kamau Da'aood.

N-Side's "reflective poetry" is said by some that " his simple words speak volumes of fundamental truths in a few stanzas, with smooth-up tempo jazz creating oceans of emotion", Mark States, Poetry Express. N-Side's poetry covers a variety of subjects such as, education, hope, and from healing to personal empowerment. His mission is to speak for the disregarded voices of the unheard, because everybody matters!

N-Side’s vision of the symbiotic relationship between jazz and poetry is built on his love of jazz and the philosophy that "sometimes the best place to find a good pair of hands, is to look down at the end of your arms!" and that "art unified in motion will create magic!"

An example of this is shown through his directing the film: A journey from the N-Side: an unscripted profile of a jazz/poet, of which he received (2) awards last year. One in the “Accolade Competition” and “The Best Short Film competition”. Adding to, a short film, “Mystic Dance”, (7) jazz CD recordings and has produced and directed (4) LIVE performance DVD. He has also produced recordings for a few artists on his record label, Shalamar Records, Three Alexander Music (BMI)

He is still writing poetry and has performed at various bay area jazz festivals with his band,” The Tribe” consisting of: Si Perkoff - piano, Mandy Flowers – upright bass, Mark Wright - Trumpet and Achytan – drums. As a bandleader, he performs for charitable organizations and causes committed to making hope reachable. His music CD’s, and performance DVD’s, are made available for fundraising events and non-profit organizations that he supports.  Welcome to the N-Side!  

To visit Norman Woods aka N-Side's CD Baby page CLICK HERE
To visit N-Side & The Tribe's Facebook Fan Page CLICK HERE
To visit N-Side & The Tribe on Youtube CLICK HERE