Stanley Crouch, 1945–2020 Stanley Crouch, 1945–2020
Even many of those who at times wanted to throttle Crouch will miss him now that he’s gone.
Oct 12, 2020 / Gene Seymour
Nate Chinen’s Daring New History of Modern Jazz Nate Chinen’s Daring New History of Modern Jazz
Nate Chinen’s new book confronts the contemporary jazz moment with clarity and authority.
Oct 6, 2018 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
William Parker’s Late-Career Bloom William Parker’s Late-Career Bloom
After a 45-year-long career, the jazz bassist is still creating experimental music pulsing with humanity.
Aug 16, 2018 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Mary Halvorson’s Kinetic Improvisation Mary Halvorson’s Kinetic Improvisation
The guitarist’s music is exhilarating, unapologetically smart, and unspoiled by phoniness or pretense.
May 10, 2018 / David Hajdu
In Search of Joni Mitchell In Search of Joni Mitchell
David Yaffe’s new biography doesn’t reach as far into the horizon as Mitchell’s music.
Oct 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Rachel Syme
From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms
Recent releases by two jazz-program graduates, Ryan Keberle and Tyshawn Sorey, make potent cases for whatever educational methods work.
Aug 31, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism
The jazz pianist’s style was simple, but the themes that gave shape to his music were not.
Jul 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Adam Shatz
Don’t Burn Out: Take a Day Without Trump Every Week Don’t Burn Out: Take a Day Without Trump Every Week
I know I need one.
Mar 10, 2017 / Jon Wiener
A Memorial for Nat Hentoff A Memorial for Nat Hentoff
The journalist’s spirit of freewheeling dispute was very much in evidence.
Mar 3, 2017 / Leslie Savan
Keith Jarrett: In Search of Inspiration Keith Jarrett: In Search of Inspiration
To the degree that there was spontaneity in his latest concert, it was spontaneous regurgitation.
Mar 1, 2017 / David Hajdu