Gene Seymour

Gene Seymour worked 18 years at Newsday as film critic and jazz columnist. He lives in Philadelphia and has written for Bookforum, CNN.com, and The Washington Post.

Workers at the Chicago Defender in the 1960s. The paper chronicled the Jim Crow era and the civil rights movement.

One Big Cookout: From the “Negro Press” to Black Twitter One Big Cookout: From the “Negro Press” to Black Twitter

We always suspected that whatever magazines and newspapers for white folks weren’t telling us, Black newspapers and magazines would.

Dec 12, 2023 / Feature / Gene Seymour

Sonny Rollins on the Williamsburg Bridge.

The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins

Though his life had its ups and downs, Rollins never wavered in his determination to get things right, and often that meant reinventing himself and, along the way, jazz as well.

Jul 24, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Gene Seymour

Cherelle Parker speaks at a podium

Philadelphia’s Next Mayor Will Almost Certainly Be a Black Woman Philadelphia’s Next Mayor Will Almost Certainly Be a Black Woman

Yet, for all her claims to history, primary winner Cherelle Parker was the status quo candidate in a city where the status quo is badly broken.

May 18, 2023 / Gene Seymour

Philadelphia’s historic City Hall

Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia Pick ’Em: Making Sense of the Free-for-All Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia

For a job the current incumbent seems eager to leave, the contest has drawn a remarkably diverse field of candidates—and no obvious front-runner.

Apr 26, 2023 / Gene Seymour

How It Actually Sounded: Gene Santoro, 1950–2022

How It Actually Sounded: Gene Santoro, 1950–2022 How It Actually Sounded: Gene Santoro, 1950–2022

A superb reporter whose journalism will remain a vivid and reliable record of its time.

May 20, 2022 / Obituary / Gene Seymour

It’s Woody Guthrie’s World.  We Just Live in It.

It’s Woody Guthrie’s World. We Just Live in It. It’s Woody Guthrie’s World. We Just Live in It.

A new show at the Morgan Library illuminates the legendary folk singer’s jam-packed life.

Apr 25, 2022 / Feature / Gene Seymour

When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun

When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun

Notes on a couple of native sons.

Jan 10, 2022 / Gene Seymour

Bad Henry’s Lesson: Henry Aaron 1934–2021

Bad Henry’s Lesson: Henry Aaron 1934–2021 Bad Henry’s Lesson: Henry Aaron 1934–2021

For baseball’s Black superstar, being the best still wasn’t good enough.

Jan 25, 2021 / Gene Seymour

Protestors in Philidelphia march through the street

After Philadelphia Police Shot and Killed Walter Wallace After Philadelphia Police Shot and Killed Walter Wallace

The city erupted in the usual pattern of peaceful protest followed by looting. Then something strange happened.

Nov 3, 2020 / Gene Seymour

Baseball’s Race Problem

Baseball’s Race Problem Baseball’s Race Problem

More than half a century after they reenergized the sport, Black Americans may not need baseball. But baseball needs more Black players—and fans.

Oct 20, 2020 / Feature / Gene Seymour

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