Looking forward to seeing Leo Sacks' documentary, "A Taste Of Heaven: The Heartbreak Life of Raymond Myles," which will be a part of Chicago's Reeling Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 26. See why Myles has been described as "The Gospel Genius Of New Orleans": reeling2026.eventive.org/films/6a6cfc...

I spoke with Branford Marsalis about his upcoming John Coltrane tribute with Dianne Reeves at Chicago's Symphony Center: cso.org/experience/a...

Marsalis and Reeves put their own distinct take on a John Coltrane tribute | Chicago Symphony Orchestra

For a centennial tribute to jazz great John Coltrane, Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves chose a different side of Trane to highlight on their disc "Dedicated to You."

cso.org

It was a gut punch to get the news that Lonnie Bunch III is resigning from the Smithsonian after numerous attacks from the criminals occupying the White House. Taking this one personally as Dr. Bunch was one of my late father's scholarly heroes.

Great points here, but it should be added that it was the U.S. State Department in the 1930s that blocked more Jewish refugees from settling in Haiti: forward.com/opinion/8480...

Haiti saved Jewish lives then. Our silence is not an option now.

As the U.S. government begins deporting Haitians back to danger, Jews must remember when Haiti did not turn its back.

forward.com

Come out to Chicago's Nighthawk on Saturday for this epic DJ showdown!

A fantastic guitarist and a genuinely brilliant, kind and humble person—while I wish Jeff Parker still lived here in Chicago, he's doing amazing work in California. Here's a little story I wrote about him: downbeat.com/news/detail/...

Drove through a thunderstorm for a screening of "Sunset Boulevard" only to learn of it being sold out by the time we reached the box office (my bad for not buying tickets in advance). Especially bummed out since my Halloween costume is Erich von Stroheim.

Tune in to the "Mixtape Show" on WNUR (wnur.org) on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from noon-2pm (CST) when I'll honor Johnny Pate. Spinning his own trio and orchestral records and the albums he created for The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield, B.B. King, Peabo Bryson, his film soundtracks and so much more.

The amazing Jaki Byard is now in the DownBeat Hall Of Fame. Here's a little article I wrote about him for the magazine to commemorate this achievement: downbeat.com/news/detail/...

Jaki Byard: Hall of Fame, Veterans Committee

When Jaki Byard played the piano he commanded its entire history through his fingertips. He may not have been not the only jazz legend with such omniscience, but no other drew on that continuum in oft...

downbeat.com

Yesterday I told a group of students that the most famous person who was ever involved in Chicago's music industry is a man who had a summer job at Mercury Records back when he was known as Bobby Prevost.

Guitarist Bobby Broom released "Notes Of Thanks," his tribute to his mentor and former bandleader Sonny Rollins shortly before the jazz giant's passing. Here's what he had to say about the album in an interview I conducted with him for DownBeat: downbeat.com/news/detail/...

When I was younger, I thought the guy singing Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen" was a weird old dude. Today I realized I'm easily old enough to be his dad.

The United States celebrated its bicentennial shortly after losing a war and that will likely be the case as it marks its 250th next month. Since I doubt I'll be alive in 2076, I won't have to learn the language of our new victorious overlords.

I had a wonderful telephone conversation with Ran Blake a week ago and his spirits are strong but this wonderful musician and scholar needs our help: www.gofundme.com/f/help-ran-b...

Donate to Help Ran Blake, a Musical Pioneer, with Medical Costs, organized by sara serpa

Ran Blake is 91 years old, battling cancer and other serious health i… sara serpa needs your support for Help Ran Blake, a Musical Pioneer, with Medical Costs

gofundme.com

If I had thought of this months ago, I would have compiled a "List Of 250 Songs That Show What America Is Really All About." Of course, it would include artists who I've celebrated for years, but more than a few I haven't mentioned. Like this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqwr...

Curtis Mayfield's classic soundtrack to "Superfly" never sounded better than it does on the recent 180-gram vinyl Rhino High Fidelity edition. Along with the AAA cut from the original stereo master tapes, I was honored to write the new liner notes. store.rhino.com/products/sup...

Superfly (Rhino High Fidelity)

SUPERFLY (RHINO HIGH FIDELITY) AAA Cut From The Original Stereo Master Tapes By Kevin GrayPressed On 180-Gram Heavyweight Vinyl At OptimalHeavyweight Glossy Gatefold JacketFeatures An Exclusive Insert...

store.rhino.com

Happy Birthday, Curtis Mayfield! Your message is eternal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CM2...

Curtis Mayfield live: We Got to Have Peace

YouTube video by StoptheWarCoalition

youtube.com

I miss Benny Golson.

Hoping that this daughter of Chicago soul becomes the next governor of Georgia: www.keishaforgovernor.com

Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia Governor

Join Keisha Lance Bottoms in building a stronger, more united Georgia. Proven leadership, bold action, and a vision for opportunity, equity, and progress for every Georgian.

keishaforgovernor.com

Scene: A record store in Chicago. Cashier: Have a good day. Customer: I'm in a record store and I'm buying albums. My day is not going to get any better than this.

One of my favorite academic journals, The Langston Hughes Review, just published its issue focused on Gil Scott-Heron. For this edition, I interviewed the Chicago poet and performer who is keeping his spirit alive: Marvin Tate. Here's an abstract: scholarlypublishingcollective.org/psup/langsto...

Marvin Tate: Becoming The Wizard

Marvin Tate (b. 1959) fired up Chicago’s spoken-word and musical scenes as the leader of the group D-Settlement during the 1990s. As he described characters from his city’s neighborhoods or offered br...

scholarlypublishingcollective.org

Carlos Flores has been a superstar in his advocacy for Latin American culture, especially Puerto Rican culture, in Chicago for more than 50 years. Now he needs all of our help as he's battling serious health issues. www.gofundme.com/f/support-ca...

Donate to Support Carlos Flores, fighting Parkinson’s, organized by Lucy Gomez Feliciano

Elida Cruz, Jorge Felix, Hilda Frontany, Lucy Gomez-Feliciano, Laura… Lucy Gomez Feliciano needs your support for Support Carlos Flores, fighting Parkinson’s

gofundme.com

Shocked and horrified to hear this news about Hawk who possesses a beautiful voice and and even more beautiful heart. He has a big place in the Chicago music scene and desperately needs all of our help. www.gofundme.com/f/support-ha...

Donate to Support Hawk’s Healing Journey, organized by Jessica Romanowski

Hawk is an exceptional, loving human with a beautiful, generous spirit. As a musicia… Jessica Romanowski needs your support for Support Hawk’s Healing Journey

gofundme.com

I am incredibly excited to see this book coming out in September. Rev. Donald Gay and his late sister Geraldine Gay have meant the world to me and the Gay Family played an incredible part in the gospel legacy and Chicago history. Bonus: Foreword by a jazz legend. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

Can I Get a Witness!

The remarkable story of pastor Donald Gay and his family’s lasting contributions to gospel music and Chicago culture.When the preacher Gregory Donald Gay joined his sisters onstage at Carnegie Hall in...

press.uchicago.edu

One can't say enough about all the amazing things that Mike Reed does for Chicago music. But here are a few words I wrote about his upcoming Symphony Center performance. cso.org/experience/a...

With Magic Box tribute, Mike Reed makes something new out of the past | Chicago Symphony Orchestra

After obtaining papers that belonged to the late Fred Hopkins (1947-1999), drummer-composer Mike Reed decided to salute the bassist's legacy with a program he's dubbed The Magic Box.

cso.org

So apparently two athletes are fighting over the right to the "Iceman" name. They should both sit down as that name will forever belong to this man.

Spring break in Chicago means brunch with soul great Jackie Ross. Why be anywhere else?

Indeed, many funny things can be found on the Internet. But nothing as hilarious as this bullshit.

Yngwie is actually more articulate than the main advocate for the similarly named "Operation Epic Fury." www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1xT...

😂Yngwie: You released the fucking fury!

YouTube video by Pepe

youtube.com

Thank you, Lisa Fielding and WBBM for asking me to speak about Chicago's crucial Vee-Jay Records in an interview conducted at Overflow Coffee in Vee-Jay's former headquarters at 1449 S. Michigan Ave.: www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...

Black History Month: Chicago's own Vee-Jay Records

Vee Jay Records, the groundbreaking Black-owned label that once held the Beatles, The Four Seasons, and legendary soul and blues artists. WBBM’s Lisa Fielding takes us inside what once was its headqua...

audacy.com