I am saddened by the news of the death of the wonderful organist Akiko Tsuruga. In thinking of her, I was reminded of one of my happiest memories with her, which was the incredible farewell party for guitarist Satoshi Inoue in 2010 when he left New York City to return to Japan. 1/2

I am once again asking you to stop sending us money. But we do need your time. ⏰ zohranfornyc.com/events

Vernon Reid was born in London, England on this day in 1958. He turns 67 today. He performed with Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society from 1980-1986. He founded Living Colour in 1984. 📸 Jeff Caltabiano, Brooklyn, NY, 10.8.22

An endorsement from the largest local union of professional musicians in the world sounds a little different than the others but the meaning is the same: solidarity forever. Thank you Local 802 AFM!

With the updated RCV totals just released by the Board of Elections, our campaign has officially earned the most total votes in a primary in New York City history.

Hope and solidarity won tonight, and will win again in November. Congratulations, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social

As we head to Election Day, for folks who voted early, thank you. I know some folks have not yet made up their minds. I am making an appeal to you. Please do not rank Cuomo. I have worked with every single one of the candidates for mayor. I will tell you he does not like us.

Zohran Mamdani has taken the lead over Andrew Cuomo in the final Emerson College New York City mayor’s race poll.

On Friday night, we walked the length of Manhattan, from Inwood Hill to Battery Park. New Yorkers deserve a Mayor they can see, hear, even yell at. The city is in the streets.

My statement on the Trump administration's illegal military actions and the wars that must end.

“Taken together, Mamdani’s responsibly costed economic policies form a coherent agenda that rejects austerity and embraces the city’s power to make life more affordable for New Yorkers.”

Wonderful to catch-up yesterday with the brilliant drummer and composer, and my Konnakol Jazz Project bandmate, Jonathan Barber at his event "explor[ing] the unifying power of music in celebration of Juneteenth". Great to see you, Jonathan!

Six days left and a city to win. zohranfornyc.com/events

I was there making music! As @thekidmero.bsky.social said, “This is a night...y'all are gonna look back on & say, ‘...I was there. I was there when NYC changed, when NYC came back to us.’” Rank @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social #1 on your ballot. Vote for a city we can win! www.youtube.com/live/oymrVNj...

As the next Mayor, I need to be held accountable to my commitments for a more affordable New York. And @justinbrannan.bsky.social is a candidate for Comptroller who’ll do exactly that. NYC, give what you can before tonight’s deadline.

Billionaires ke paas already sab kuchh hai. Ab, aapka time aageya. Billionaires already have everything. Now, your time has come.

The contrast on the debate stage Wednesday night — and in this election — could not be clearer.

When I see people posting about the "poll tax" on voters and how this hurts married women, I chafe at how much time I wasted breaking down Project 2025. Also reminder everything they are doing now, my people have had to navigate, with the added stress of lynching threats.

Calling all blues harmonisers! I was thinking about this classic blues turnaround phrase, and wondering if there's a standard/common practice harmonisation for it. This is what I came-up with, and it sounds good to me, but I'd love to know what all you blues pianists and guitarists think.

सरस्वती पूजा के इस पावन दिन पर, आपके जीवन में खुशियां और ज्ञान का प्रकाश हो। वसंत पंचमी मुबारक! On this auspicious day of Saraswatī Pūja/Vasant Panchamī, may your life be filled with happiness and knowledge. Happy Vasant Panchamī!

Today I learned the sad news that drummer Anthony Pinciotti died right at the end of 2024. I had the pleasure of recording with Anthony on the Steeplechase release "Chimera", and it was a treat to make music with him. You are appreciated and missed, Anthony!

Why did so many working class New Yorkers vote for Donald Trump last week — and even more not vote at all? I went to Hillside Ave in Queens and Fordham Rd in the Bronx to find out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Fc...

“The Democratic Party lost—again—because it turned its back on working people, choosing instead to pivot to the right…rather than [talk about]…plans to lift thirty-eight million Americans out of poverty.” https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/notes-on-fighting-trumpism/

Trump’s Reëlection: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver https://youtu.be/LU2atCWyAos‬

“Democrats must choose: The elites or the working class”, op. ed. by @SenSanders @BernieSanders (Independent Senator who caucuses with the Democrats): https://archive.is/utv0x

दीपावली की शुभकामनाएं! ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ! Happy Diwali! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

The England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Australia, and this lady:

Hey there, @nytimes.com crossword editors, “chai” (चाय) means “tea”! “Masala chai” (मसाला चाय) means “spiced tea”!

An unforgettable night at Living Colour’s Juneteenth celebration concert yesterday! The one and only W. Kamau Bell emceed, there was a moving speech from N.Y. City Council member Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five, and, of course, Living Colour's always powerful and moving music.

It was a real pleasure to make music with Kahlil Kwame Bell these last few weeks. Thank you, Kahlil, for having me on the bandstand to play your music with you.

Dig Bob Malone! Dig Leland Sklar! https://youtu.be/NLUi47X1Gao‬

Maestro Sonny Rollins’s “Template Artists” annotated playlist!!! https://tidal.com/magazine/article/sonny-rollins-template-artists/1-95551

“I have no choice but to [make music]. That is not the same as wanting to be a [‘musician’].” https://twitter.com/davverodomini/status/1791552345446215715

Spread the word! N. Shange Social Justice Theater Residency “to support distinguished African Diaspora women, femme, & non-binary scholar-playwrights. $75,000/yr+benefits for 2 years. New resident begins Jan. ‘25. https://bcrw.barnard.edu/projects/the-ntozake-shange-social-justice-theater-residency/

“Today the fight is much more an ideological battle. Today it is a fight of 2 ideologies – the BJP’s, the RSS, & us. And the ideology we are fighting for is the ideology on which our country was built.” Priyanka Gandhi, Gen. Sec., All India Congress Comm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNxIp2XQ-Oc

It’s LOOOOOOONG past overdue! Billy Harper (http://www.BillyHarperMusic.com) is a Jazz Master!!! https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/make-nomination-nea-jazz-masters

Song of the day (at least in the U.S.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO6JiFztJdg&t=34s

Dig Johnathan Blake, everyone!!! (P.S. I am HORRIFIED by the dotted-8ths 16ths notation in the video. S.F. Jazz, you’ve got some explaining to do!!!) https://youtu.be/iFGBYvEeql8

“the shocking truth about the money bands make on tour” Not shocking to those of us who’ve been out here for decades making music professionally. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/25/shocking-truth-money-bands-make-on-tour-taylor-swift

Four horses: Apocalypse Three horses: Dotted Semipocalypse Two horses: Semipocalypse One horse: Semidemipocalypse #MusicNotationHumour

Just got the latest volume! Thank you to the griot Jeremy Pelt!

कैसा घबराया साहिब बात बात पे डरता है (See how jittery Sahib is, fearful of every little thing) Sung by Aditi Lyrics by Rajesh Nirmal Composed by Vedi Sinha Music production by Amartya Ghosh Produced by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_x0KVSOEhc

James Baldwin – searing, prophetic, timeless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlZ8-5JGCQ

The room was shaking! The glasses in the drinks cabinet were rattling!

I’ve added my name to this “Statement About 2024 Elections from Concerned South Asian American Advocates”, and I urge all of my fellow S. Asian Americans to do the same. https://medium.com/@southasianadvocates/statement-about-2024-elections-from-concerned-south-asian-american-advocates-cd4c13339e0d

About to hear Herbie Hancock at Lincoln Centre. Yeah!!!

होली की शुभकामनाएं!!! ਹੋਲੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ!!! Happy Holi!!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

This, from actor/writer Ryan Ken (@ryan_ken_acts), is so insightful and powerful. https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_ken_acts/video/7336379295641767211