Jeff Bien is an internationally recognized poet, whose work has been translated and published in more than twenty countries. He is the author of numerous books which have received critical acclaim in Canada and abroad, and his poetry has been the recipient of many awards.
He has recorded two CD's of poetry to music, A Taste of Creation and America & other poems, along with his first recording of song, Songs of Forgiveness & Prayer, released in the Fall of 2009, which features his own original music in collaboration with many of Canada's finest musicians. His music has been praised for its vision and lyrical quality, and for inspiring and awakening social and spiritual consciousness.
Bien's earlier poetic work has been called "a display of verbal pyrotechnics such as I've never seen before" by the late Irving Layton, and "of great merit," by Nobel nominee, Charles Bliss, as well as having being recognized by Ted Hughes, and Seamus Heaney, in selecting his work for the Arvon Anthology in Great Britain. More recently he has received poetry awards from Literal Latte (New York City) and The New Welsh Review (Academi, Wales), as well as being shortlisted for the 2010 Arvon Award in Great Britain.
A mural featuring a rendition of the cover of his book, America & other poems, was commissioned in 2000, on a heritage building adjacent to the University of Toronto. The CD recording of the book will include a DVD featuring live concerts and recording sessions in Paris and Havana.
Along with his newest collection of poetry, Bien is presently completing a book of letters, Undressing the Illusion: Letters to a Young Mystic, as well as a new CD compilation of his prosaic work, Blue Harmonica.
