Sterling D. Plumpp--blues poet and essayist--is the author of thirteen books including ""Velvet BeBop Kente Cloth, Ornate with Smoke, ""and ""Blues Narratives. ""He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he served on the faculty in the African American Studies and English departments. Most recently, he served as a visiting professor in the Master of Fine Arts Program at Chicago State University.