Desmond Seward’s new book about Josephus provides essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the first century world. The conflicts between the Jews and Romans that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its glorious Temple. Even the New Testament.
Jessica Williams is one of the giants of jazz piano. Her name was completely unfamiliar to me until, a few years ago, I saw one of her CDs in a catalog of remaindered product. I was intrigued that Dave Brubeck was quoted as calling her “One of the greatest jazz pianists I have ever heard…” […]
Sometimes, dreams do come true. And one of my dreams came true with the release of Miles Davis’ album, The Cellar Door Sessions. It more than fulfilled my memories of hearing this band in person in Chicago. I wished I could have bottled up that night, and listen to it over and over again. What […]
There cannot be too many recordings of the Third Symphony by Gustav Mahler. Famously, Mahler told composer Jean Sibelius that music should “be like the world. It must embrace everything.” No symphony more than the Third demonstrates the breadth of this vision. Today, we have the advantage of recordings. And can listen and re-listen to […]
There can be no question that Wynton Marsalis is one of the most talented musicians alive. A brilliant trumpeter. Highly articulate. And, perhaps most importantly, well-connected. He has received unprecedented visibility, through recordings, television appearances, concerts in major venues, and the support of people in the public eye. He has become an ambassador for jazz, […]
Timothy Brook has written a brilliant book provides background and biographical insights into Vermeer’s life and works. But it is much more than a biography of Vermeer, the great 17th century Dutch painter. Brook goes much deeper, taking Vermeer’s painting as a jumping off point to give insights into his world. And ours.
Biographies, to me, should give us greater understanding of people. Their background. Personal and family history. The environment in which they lived. Insights into their times. We should not expect them to be uncritical or mindlessly worship their subject. Yet how can we learn about people unless we “walk in their sandals,” as the cliche […]
Jon Hassell is a new discovery for me. As a long-time fan of ECM Records, I could not resist their promotion for Hassell’s new album, Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street. This music is hard to categorize. Part-jazz, it reminds me of Miles Davis’ classic album, “In a Silent Way.” […]
A common cliche often cited in jazz criticism is that a particular musician has “good ideas.” This phrase kept recurring as I listened to this amazing 2-disc set of the Brad Mehldau Trio. In fact, I recall the moment that this became clear to me.
As a student of history, I continually look for resources better to understand or illuminate people and events. One of my recent pursuits has been about the ancient Philistines and Phoenicians. I have reviewed my personal library and the public library. I have purchased new books both specifically about these people, but also about the […]