Armed with a style once aptly described as “confessional swagger,” J.W. Baz tackles everything from searing social commentary to gritty introspection with a generous spoonful of intensity and a dash of dry wit. He has appeared on NPR, in the Chicago Tribune, and over 100 venues across the country. Within his first year on the national poetry slam scene, Baz was a finalist at the Individual World Poetry Slam, won the 2006 Rustbelt Regional Slam, and finished in the Top Ten at the 2006 National Poetry Slam as a member of Team Chicago. Having already completed a tour in support of his first album, "Poet Laureate of Apt. 2E," Baz shows no sign of slowing down. His second collection, "Love Crimes, etc." is in the works along with another nationwide tour set to begin in early 2008. All things considered, he’s doing pretty well for a guy who failed Creative Writing in high school. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.