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
Light and Love From Year-End Movies Light and Love From Year-End Movies
Retrieve what you like, during these darkest weeks of a very dark year.
Dec 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
The Ten Best Albums of 2016 The Ten Best Albums of 2016
As the business of recorded music roils, the making of music rolls on.
Dec 14, 2016 / David Hajdu