The Best Tribute to Toni Morrison Is to Read Her Work

Ilana Novick / Truthdig Aug 6, 2019 Her writings on war, racism as a distraction and the responsibility to share privilege possess a striking clarity. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘Black Is Beautiful’: Identity, Pride and the Photography of Kwame Brathwaite

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Apr 19, 2019 A new look at the activist impresario and photographer provides a positive guide for building community. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Director John Scheinfeld on the Spiritual Journey of Jazz Icon John Coltrane (Audio)

BLANK May 26, 2017 In this edition of “Scheer Intelligence,” Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer talks with the documentarian about his film. Dig deeper ( 22 Min. Read )

Free-Jazz Pioneer Ornette Coleman Dies at 85

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Jun 12, 2015 Coleman was one of the greats. He didn’t just innovate free jazz, he invented the term. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Dave Brubeck: A Love Affair

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Dec 10, 2012 It was a conversation representative of the era: Somewhere around 1969 or 1970, my dear, conservative Uncle Ray asked his son and me why we liked music by Jimi Hendrix and the Doors but we never listened to Dave Brubeck. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Dave Brubeck’s Alternative Ambitions

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Dec 5, 2012 The celebrated musician, who died Wednesday at age 91 in a hospital in Connecticut, didn’t start out with the desire to perform one of jazz music’s iconic tunes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Study of the Worldly Art of Jazz

BLANK Sep 3, 2010 Developing an appreciation for jazz is partly a matter of understanding how it is influenced by other forces of life, as this review of a new book by Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux notes, and how the music plays—and breaks—with form. Developing an appreciation for jazz is partly a matter of understanding how it is influenced by other forces of life. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Larry Blumenfeld on Nat Hentoff

BLANK Aug 6, 2010 A new collection of writings by one of America’s greatest self-described Jewish atheists distills the essence of his half-century defense of civil liberties and jazz -- the nation’s most original and influential art.A new collection of writings distills the essence of Hentoff's half-century defense of civil liberties and jazz -- America’s most original art. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Larry Blumenfeld on Ned Sublette’s ‘The Year Before the Flood’

BLANK Feb 5, 2010 Four years after Katrina, New Orleans struggles against the odds to preserve its unruly spirit through its unique musical legacy. Dig deeper ( 17 Min. Read )

Yes We Can Can

Larry Blumenfeld / Truthdig Aug 30, 2008 New Orleans has figured into this election season as a reminder of the Bush administration's bungled, uncaring response to Katrina. Yet amid so much talk of hope and change, on this anniversary of disaster, many in New Orleans hope for a change of policy -- the kind of federal assistance that can make a dent in crises of housing, public safety, education, health care and levee protection. It makes sense for musicians to kick-start that conversation. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Jazz Fest ’08: Homecoming on Muddy Ground

Larry Blumenfeld / Truthdig May 27, 2008 It's easy in New Orleans these days to read meaning and purpose into every lyric or song choice -- was Sheryl Crow commenting on the housing crisis by covering "Gimme Shelter," or was she just doing a Stones tune? Also, it's impossible to take in all the music and all the messages emanating from the Jazz Fest's 10 stages. Still, a good deal of what I did catch was timely, topical and worth remembering. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )