Darcy James Argue’s Terrific Thrill Darcy James Argue’s Terrific Thrill
A staggeringly ambitious album explores the themes of cultural paranoia and false truth.
Nov 25, 2016 / David Hajdu
Four Standouts From the New York Film Festival Four Standouts From the New York Film Festival
I Am Not Your Negro, Moonlight, 13th, and I Called Him Morgan.
Oct 18, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
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
A Blues for Albert Murray A Blues for Albert Murray
His name was never household familiar. Yet his complex, mind-opening analysis of art and life remains as timely as ever—probably more so.
May 16, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Thomas Chatterton Williams
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
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
Theo Bleckmann’s Bazaar Theo Bleckmann’s Bazaar
A vocalist as playfully experimental as Albert Ayler or Ornette Coleman.
Jul 1, 2015 / David Hajdu
Words for Music Perhaps Words for Music Perhaps
Warm and unaffected, Philip Glass’s memoir is nothing like his music.
Apr 14, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Have We Reached the End of Jazz Itself? Have We Reached the End of Jazz Itself?
John Coltrane and other “lost” musicians of the ’60s are teaching a new generation of artists to bend time and space.
Mar 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Gene Seymour