1928–2014
Biography · Literature
Jayne Cortez
1934–2012
United States
BIOGRAPHYPortrait not availableExplore the life, work and source references.
Biography
Jayne Cortez (May 10, 1934 – December 28, 2012) was an African-American poet, activist, small press publisher and spoken-word performance artist. Her writing is part of the canon of the Black Arts Movement. She was married to jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman from 1954 to 1964, and their son is jazz drummer Denardo Coleman. In 1975, Cortez married painter, sculptor, and printmaker Melvin Edwards, and they lived in Dakar, Senegal, and New York City.
Sources & collection details
Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗
Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Continue exploring Series 1
Arts, Music & Culture →Civil Rights & Public Life →Business & Enterprise →
Explore all Series 1 cards →Keep exploring
1924–1987
1913–2008
