Harvey Pekar was pissed at me. He told me so himself but I'd seen it coming because, as a parting gift, the outgoing editor of the jazz magazine I'd just taken the reins of had repeated to Harvey my criticisms--all legitimate--of his article about Jazz at Lincoln Center, knowing it would raise his substantial ire. I was "one of those Wynton sycophants," he raged, … [Read more...] about splendorous american: harvey pekar, 1939-2010
treme in ny, jazz in june
If you're in NY this summer, you've got plenty of chances to hear New Orleans music that, as you await next season, offers insights into the sight, sounds, and characters of HBO "Treme." You can find my piece in today's Wall Street Journal with something of a roadmap to that effect. And something I wrote for the current issue of the Village Voice, looking back on June's wave … [Read more...] about treme in ny, jazz in june
declarations of independence (don’t shut ’em down)
In honor of Independence Day, what could be more American than playing jazz in the street? Here are two stories of mine along those lines, running today. The first, for the website Truthdig, talks about brass bands and street musicians in New Orleans--especially some city ordinances that make my blood boil and some signs of reform by city council and Mayor Landrieu that would … [Read more...] about declarations of independence (don’t shut ’em down)
dribbling for sam (on love, fatherhood, and basketball)
Disclaimer: What follows is neither urgent social commentary nor music criticism. Instead, in honor of Father's Day, I'm sharing a short essay with you. I guess it's one of those "daddy pieces"--something I never thought I'd find myself writing but, then again, I'm doing a lot of things these days that I never thought I'd be doing. It's on love of son and sport, and about … [Read more...] about dribbling for sam (on love, fatherhood, and basketball)
new orleans–bands on the run, AGAIN?
Brass-band street musicians are once again at odds with the NOPD and the powers that be. Unlike the scene I wrote about in Tremé in 2007, nobody's been hauled off in cuffs (yet). Newly elected mayor Mitch Landrieu and his newly appointed police chief Ronal Serpas are too wise for that. But some old and probably archaic noise ordinances are being dusted off an enforced to the … [Read more...] about new orleans–bands on the run, AGAIN?