James Clark Robinson is an exciting and creative voice in the world of spoken word, poetry and fiction. Hailing from the South Bronx, New York, James Clark, AKA, Nocturnal Roots has rocked countless stages performing a fusion of Spoken Word and Hip Hop.  From Jimmy's Uptown Cafe, The Legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe in Alphabet City, NY, and the Hunts Point Fish Parade in the Bronx to name a few, Noc Roots has always made it a party.  James has also hosted a variety of poetry venues for the Bronx Council of the Arts  and local venues throughout the city including a short lived exhibition, “Kosmik Connections” Poetry Open Mic in Harlem which he also co-produced. James' first collection of self-published poetry, “The Love Suite-vol 1- Movement Found” was released in 2019.

 

Over the years, James would be associated with a number of writing collectives that helped elevate his writing prowess to new heights.  Glass Onion Dynasty was one of the first collectives to take notice of James' talents.   Also during this time, James, along with five other poets, would create a writing collective called Chicken Grease. After his time spent with the G.O.D, James and another established poet, songwriter and educator, Inez Harris (The Black Butterfly/Feenix Flame), would break out as a duo of their own.  Soul Equinox would perform as a group as well as individually at many venues throughout New York.  They wowed audiences doing sets at The Suga Shack (Harlem), Sankofa (Brooklyn), A Taste of Harlem, Kay’s Cafe (Bronx), and Cornelia Street Cafe (New York); all the while recording and promoting the brand of Soul E.  

 

James has often given back to his community.  Due to the work he accomplished on stage,  different organizations have reached out to have him perform and/or conduct writing workshops for the youth in their communities.  James created a Black History Month poetry workshop for the New York Botanical Gardens (Bronx, NY), and was asked to do a similar workshop there for the next two years.  He was also a featured poet at a Black History Month Celebration sponsored by the FBI at their headquarters in New York City. James also spent time at Spofford Correctional Facility to hold  writing workshops for younger inmates. In 2010, James Clark ran a writing workshop out of his home church, New Hope For All Saints Lutheran Church (Bronx). Along with the writing workshop, in 2012, James, with help from members of the congregation, put together a weekly Open Mic, “Your Chance to be Heard,” to help promote the church while giving the community a venue to come to perform and be entertained.  The “Your Chance to be Heard” open mic series ” (hosted by “Princess” Lanita Jones) became a very popular program on a local public access station in the boroughs it serviced and helped the church reach many more people throughout the community. 

 

James currently resides in Harlem, NY and is preparing to release a second collection of poetry, “Sinnerman - A Long Way Home,” later this year.