Blank Forms have announced the death of New York City downtown poet and collagist Steve Dalachinsky. “An inspired conversationalist, Dalachinsky was beloved by the avant garde community for his cantankerous wit, frank sense of humour, generous compassion and love of music, especially free jazz,” reads the announcement. “Having attended Saturday’s Sun Ra Arkestra concert shortly before his stroke, the legendary wiseass’s last words were: Maybe I overdosed with Sun Ra.”

Born in Brooklyn in 1946, Dalachinsky lived in Manhattan with his wife, painter and poet Yuko Otomo. As a performing poet, he played and recorded with the likes of Joe McPhee, Loren Connors, Dave Liebman and Matthew Shipp. His numerous books include A Superintendent’s Eyes, The Final Nite & Other Poems and Where Night And Day Become One. He died on 16 September 2019.