Calder Gardens opens today in Philadelphia, and it’s a big deal for the worlds of art, architecture and design. But when I spent a few hours there last week, it struck me as a musical experience.

her name couldn’t really be WILL OBEY

Not far into the early set at The Village Vanguard on Thursday night, I had a wildly irresponsible thought: at this moment, the Miguel Zenón Quartet might actually be the best band in the world.

"Cancel Culture" — ruling class invokes this phrase like it's a state of being. But when they deploy it, the first word in the phrase isn't a modifier, it's a command.

Hip-hop heads and jazz snobs don’t always find common ground, but they should be able to agree on Kassa Overall. Let’s make the case.

I don’t get complaints about the running joke on the #Emmys broadcast. Smug mid white guy flaunts his wealth, uses a money clock to threaten artists with the deprivation of underprivileged children — what could be more in tune with our cultural moment?

"I just want to say, go birds, fuck ICE and free Palestine," "Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder at the #Emmys

What is the sonic equivalent to “visionary” — aurallary? RIP to one of those, maybe the best of them

Everyone is out of their goddam mind.

It Only Tuesday https://theonion.com/it-only-tuesday-1819569397/

Phew, that game was closer than I would have liked. Anyway, it’s Bandcamp Friday now, and I have some killer recs.

Remember: Wayne Shorter showed us how it can be both

Today is my birthday, and I had one request: Let’s go to a Prince concert 💜

Concert flex? Sure, I could rattle off a bunch of cool memories — but if it’s really a ~flex~ you want, my answer is: some concert next week, and the week after that, until death ends my journey. This is my job, somehow.

Pianist and composer Bokani Dyer grew up among South African exiles in Botswana, and has become a leading jazz artist from the region. I caught his trio the other night in Philly; I reckon this is the only proper review from his North American tour.

I do want Taylor to play the Super Bowl LX halftime show, if only so I can say: “At least there’s ONE Kelce who’ll be in this Super Bowl” #GoBirds

i want everybody who laments the state of crit today to find and boost some that they enjoy

“We apologize for the extreme lateness and the overcrowding. We are in the position of trying to fit four trains’ worth of people into one.” You probably have bigger problems on your mind, but today brought avoidable austerity measures to SEPTA. Credit to the conductors for grace under pressure.

New Laufey dropped today. I have some thoughts. 🕒

Brent Hinds! Damn, this is a rough one. I feel so fortunate to have seen Mastodon live. Hard to overstate what a deep musical force he was. #RIP

Nate Chinen and Josh Jackson, discuss the phrase “Live at The Village Vanguard.” Why it carries its own currency in jazz, and the countless albums it has appeared on. #Jazz #Music #JazzSky #JazzMusic www.wrti.org/podcast/late...

The excellent bassist Ben Williams comes out of a lineage of Black activism. He also hails from D.C., a contested site (now as ever). On Saturday I caught his band in Philly, and listened with those factors in mind.

Pianist Paul Cornish is one of the most inspiring new arrivals I’ve encountered over the last several years. Before the release of his Blue Note debut next week, I’m sharing some thoughts about why.

Read this thread. I don’t know Stephanie (a truly excellent critic!) but she speaks for me.

so, in the course of a month, the New York Times reassigned four veteran critics, the Washington Post’s film critic took a buyout, Vanity Fair decided it doesn’t need a film critic at all, and the Associated Press got rid of book criticism altogether? Cool.

Tonight I finished George Saunders’ magisterial LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, which didn’t quite take for me in 2017, whatever the reason. One person who hailed it at the time was Colson Whitehead; here’s how he concluded his trenchant appraisal in the Times.

RIP Sheila Jordan, a jazz-vocal giant and an American original. Here is my tribute, on The Gig.

At this point, let's just say it: AI stands for Asshole Indicator. No exceptions. When you're using it, you're the Asshole.

Here’s to a great one

RIP the unstoppable force that was Eddie Palmieri. An academy of music, a combustion engine. Take five minutes out of your human experience to sit with this performance, and consider how many elements are in thrilling convergence.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced today that it will shut down next year. Icymi, I made a pilgrimage earlier this week to the LBJ Library in Austin, specifically to consider what that would mean. (This post is free to all for the next five days.)

The new Sun Ra doc is awesome (and I’d say that even if I weren’t in it). It won’t be on PBS until 2026, so I recommend the virtual screener being offered this weekend via the BlackStar Film Festival. Here's a quick piece I wrote for WRTI, based on conversation with director Christine Turner.

Happy 70th birthday to “The Gig,” an incredible piece of music by a remarkable person who, in a certain sense, I always carry with me. Here, allow me to explain.

A word on federal support of public broadcasting, arts and humanities — or, Why the LBJ Library Hits Different

The uncanny feeling of being a main character, along with @natechinen.bsky.social, in an eloquent, passionate cri de coeur by one of my hands-down most admired artists.

All the dire implications notwithstanding it is hilarious how evil this technology is. Billions of dollars spent on this greasy lying stupid thing that was literally built to replace people, and everyone that uses it gets weaker, lazier, dumber, and sadder for having done so. Well done all around.

“They content create, I despise that / I create content then they tries that” (Pusha T speaks for me, I will not be taking any questions)

Cecil Taylor and Tony Oxley had an incredible musical hookup, and it was in place from the start, as we can hear on a new album. Here’s what I have to say about the recording and rapport.

Something pretty special going down right now on WRTI, as Josh Jackson spins records in the face of rescission. Later this evening he'll be dropping the needle on his precious mono copy of 'A Love Supreme.' Listen in the Philly area at 90.1 FM, or stream anywhere at wrti.org.

Everything is bad and burning but the hibiscus plant that we nurse indoors through every cold long winter is now living her best summer life and I thought you’d want to know 🌺

For the Coltrane-heads and audiophiles. 🎷🎧

Colbert Uncorked. For the next 10 months, this is the only upside. (But just imagine the potential)

Art can't just be a luxury for the few. That requires a city where artists can actually afford to live and create, and where musicians don't just receive recognition but fair pay. That's what @local802.bsky.social organizes for and I'm so proud to have their endorsement.

Thank you, Ann! 🙏🏼

Just feeling depressed about the degradation of the media sphere. I have nothing against video! I am often on video. And I love pods. But I am afraid for writing and reading. And I believe it’s the platforms not the consumers choosing to throw those literacies to the curb.

Some rapid response on today's NYT culture desk news (with a song of praise for Jon Pareles)

Thanks, @natechinen.bsky.social, for including the self-titled track to Cécile McLorin Salvant's upcoming album, 'Oh Snap,' atop your 'Take Five: New music you shouldn't miss'! substack.com/home/post/p-...

Centrism is a helluva drug

THE NATION has posted the introduction of Billy Hart's OCEANS OF TIME. This chapter is representative of the tone of the whole book. Check it out! www.thenation.com/article/cult...