A James Brown Book Like No Other A James Brown Book Like No Other
Kill ’Em and Leave is a stunningly unorthodox book, indifferent to the conventions of biographical nonfiction.
Jun 16, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Old Locks and Irregular Pounds Old Locks and Irregular Pounds
Henry Threadgill’s improvisations are adventurous, though never at the expense of human feeling.
Jun 3, 2016 / David Hajdu
Prince: The Moment’s End Prince: The Moment’s End
The artist was a creative force who seemed constitutionally incapable of not making music.
Apr 22, 2016 / David Hajdu
Why Donny McCaslin Was David Bowie’s David Bowie Why Donny McCaslin Was David Bowie’s David Bowie
In the making of Blackstar, David Bowie trusted that Donny McCaslin and his quartet would invoke a profoundly emotive album.
Jan 26, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Trump the Improviser? Trump the Improviser?
This candidate operates in a jazz-like fashion, but all he makes is unexpected noise.
Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Dreamers, Drifters, Mopers, and Defeatists Dreamers, Drifters, Mopers, and Defeatists
Adrian Tomine’s universe features a society of contingent values, ill-defined expectations, and diminishing options.
Dec 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Forget What You’ve Heard: These Were the Ten Best Albums of 2015 Forget What You’ve Heard: These Were the Ten Best Albums of 2015
In a year when sales numbers fell to an all-time low, the quality of music produced was stunningly high.
Dec 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Steve Coleman Works the Connections Steve Coleman Works the Connections
The composer and saxophonist’s hybrid jazz fuses the sounds of the world.
Dec 2, 2015 / David Hajdu
A Jazz Singer A Jazz Singer
Legendary vocalist Mark Murphy exemplified the jazz values of improvisation, swing, and in-the-moment spontaneity.
Oct 30, 2015 / David Hajdu
It’s an Old Trope, but How Well Does the Factory Model Explain Pop Music? It’s an Old Trope, but How Well Does the Factory Model Explain Pop Music?
A new book about the music industry misses the fact that we’ve already entered the post-industrial age.
Oct 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu