Spoz the Poet

Spoz is not his real name. It's actually Giovanni Esposito. 'Spoz' being the bit between the 'E' and the 'ito' (kind of).

Spoz is ... a sort of poet. The sort, in fact, that has been published, recorded, been on the radio, won awards, is a member of the renowned 'New October Poets', taken part in so many festivals, he's lost count and even had a commission from the BBC.

Spoz was made Birmingham Poet Laureate for 2006 / 2007.

No flowery language here, I laughed out loud and so did my eleven year old daughter - Ryan's Gig Guide

The only poet I know who rhymed 'Hound of the Baskervilles' with 'pound and a flask of pills' and made it make sense - Birmingham Post

Spoz is ... a singer, songwriter, playwright and musical writer. He has produced and directed self penned musicals in Birmingham and Edinburgh. He's written and recorded albums with several bands as well as a solo artiste and appeared before the Queen mum (RIP).

You'll be up for a bostin good laugh...more please - Edinburgh Three Weeks

I was blown away by this hilarious, energetic musical - The Bromsgrove Standard

Spoz is ... a hit with the kids when it comes to poetry and music workshops!

Giovanni's warm personality and sense of fun ensured that children and staff enjoyed the day - St. James' Catholic Primary School, Birmingham

I would thoroughly recommend Spoz to bring poetry alive into your classroom - Sion Hill Middle School, Kidderminster

Poetry:

Spoz had been writing poems of sorts for ages. Always a keen fan of John Hegley, John Cooper-Clarke and Attila the Stockbroker, he recited 'Disco Dad' to his audience while changing a broken string on his guitar to 'fill time'. Fame and fortune as a performance poet followed (that's kind of stretching it a bit really - well a lot actually).

Since those early days, Spoz has been a regular on the national poetry scene and was made Birmingham Poet Laureate for 2006 / 7. He set up a company with fellow Birmingham Poet Laureate, Dreadlockalien (2005/6), to deliver poetry workshops in schools, up and down the country.

Spoz has also performed at Glastonbury 2005 where he was commissioned by the BBC to write a poem for the festival and perform it on Radio 5 Live.

He has also performed at Shambala festival , Cheltenham Literature festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Warwick Words festival, 'poetry cafes' and 'Slam Poetry' events up and down the country. He has also been well received at comedy clubs in the Birmingham area as a 'stand up poet'.

Warning : May contain nuts and rhyming language