Close your eyes: listen.
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), Le Merle noire (The Blackbird), for flute and piano (1952); Kenneth Smith (flute), Matthew Schellhorn (piano), 2008
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other day, Oak Park, Illinois
basement jukebox
Rev. Leon Pinson (1919-1998) and His Talking Guitar, “If You Are a Witness, Let God Abide”
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yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois
what’s new
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force, live, Berlin (Gaswerk Music Days), 2025 (published 1/30/26)
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other day, Oak Park, Illinois
what’s new
Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & Friends featuring Surya Botofasina live at Le Guess Who?, Netherlands (Utrecht), 2025 (published 1/27/26)
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other day, Oak Park, Illinois
sounds of New York
Jim Staley (trombone) with Ned Rothenberg (reeds) and Sylvie Courvoisier (piano), live, New York, 2025
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yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois (Conservatory)
more
Sinead O’Connor (1966-2023) with Sly Dunbar (1952-2026, drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (1952-2021, bass), live, Dublin, 2005
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other day, Chicago (Columbus Park)
testify!
Original Every Ready Gospel Singers, “He’s My King,” 1956 (rec. Houston)
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yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois
alone
Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola, electronics), live, Lithuania (Vilnius), 2025
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yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois
can’t wait (premieres February 20th)
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my back pages
My first date with my wife (of 49 years), Suzanne, was to hear the Sun Ra Arkestra at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase (then on North Lincoln).
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yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois
voices I miss
Sinead O’Connor (1966-2023) with Sly Dunbar (1952-2026, drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (1952-2021, bass), “Marcus Garvey” (S. O’Connor), live, Cleveland, 2005
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random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
music clip of the day 