'2020 looked mighty bright for Nduduzo Makhathini . In January, jazz fans and critics alike jammed themselves into the Zürcher Gallery at the NYC Winter Jazzfest to get a glimpse of the rising star pianist. The buzz was real for the first South African artist ever to be signed to Blue Note Records. By the time his debut album, Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds, came out on Apri
'On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery was jogging in his suburban neighborhood when two White men, a father and son, decided Arbery might be the culprit of a suspected robbery. They got in their truck, chased him, and ultimately shot him. News reports have referred to the incident as a “shooting,” a “murder,” and a “killing.” But lawyer and commentator Elie Mystal says it’s clear that it should be
'Since the pandemic began, the volume of obituaries and paid death notices in our newspapers have become a powerful reminder of the loss we’re all experiencing right now. I n the absence of traditional mourning rituals like funerals, the obituary pages are becoming a communal space for us to grieve together in this moment. For more on what obituaries mean during this pandemic, The Takeaway spoke
'Director Michael Jacobs discusses the Quibi docu-series Blackballed , which tells the story of Donald Sterling’s expulsion from the Los Angeles Clippers.'
'Sociologist Erin Hatton explores the nature of coerced labor in America - as prisons, welfare programs and universities push workers outside the protection of traditional legal employment, employers wield increasing power to exploit and punish subjects with little protection and less bargaining power. Hatton is author of Coerced: Work Under Threat of Punishment from University of California Pres
'From Lionel Hampton to Milt Jackson , to Bobby Hutcherson and beyond, every Jazz generation has had its swinging heroes on the vibraphone. Since around the turn of the century, we've had a leading light in Stefon Harris . Harris may in fact be the preeminent voice of his instrument, but he says that's not that important. "The vibraphone, in my opinion, is just a bunch of metal and wood. Instrume
'Dave Zirin, host of Edge of Sports talks to CNN medical expert and NYU professor Dr. Celine Gounder about Covid-19, the push to reopen sports, how that undertaking could work, and how the nation’s leadership is dealing with
