William James Austin

William James Austin (December 4, 1949 – August 15, 2019) was a New York City poet, writer, musician, visual artist, and academic.

Austin received his PhD on fellowship from Tulane University in New Orleans, and was an associate professor of English and philosophy, and artistic director of the Visiting Writers Program at SUNY, Farmingdale.

In addition, and often in conjunction with the eclectic concert event, Cirque du Singe Brisé, he performs in cities and at universities throughout the USA northeast.

Along with Igor Satanovsky, Julia Solis, Bill Keith, Richard Kostelanetz, and a growing list of experimental Russian language writers, William James Austin publishes with Koja Press which has been featured in a New York Times article, on BBC News, and on NTV.

He composed music and lyrics for Lou Rawls, the fusion group, Hammer, a television sitcom, and other rock and jazz artists, as well as serving as backup band leader and lead guitarist for the Capris.