jazz Archives - Longreads

Arts & Culture, Nonfiction, Reading List

A Genre of Myths: A Jazz Reading List

by Aaron Gilbreath July 22, 2020November 25, 2022

Created in New Orleans and played around the world, the music we call jazz is filled with genius, legend, and tragedy.

Arts & Culture, Featured, Highlight, Profiles & Interviews, Quote Posts, Quotes

Life Advice from Jazz Genius Sonny Rollins

by Krista Stevens March 10, 2020October 19, 2022

“Live your life now in a positive way. Help people if you can. Don’t hurt people. That works perfectly for me, man.”

Arts & Culture, Culture, Essays & Criticism, Story, Writing

Miami: A Beginning

by Jessica Lynne February 27, 2020December 16, 2022

Jessica Lynne remembers a long distance love affair that began in Miami and the Billie Holiday song that kept her company through the relationship’s transitions.

Arts & Culture, Nonfiction, Story

Wonderful Things: The Kid Creole and the Coconuts Story

by Michael Gonzales December 18, 2019December 30, 2022

Combining island sounds with stylish clothes and an unforgettable stage presence, one of New York City’s most original bands helped influence 1980s pop culture, and they never sacrificed their unclassifiable artistic vision.

Arts & Culture, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes

How Jazz Pianist Erroll Garner Fought for His Rights

by Aaron Gilbreath November 25, 2019October 19, 2022

When Columbia Records breached one of their big star’s contracts back in the 1950s, he sued and won.

Arts & Culture, Story

Remembering João Gilberto

by Tom Maxwell July 9, 2019October 19, 2022

Eccentricity was inseperable from this musical innovator’s artistic vision.

Arts & Culture, Current Events, Nonfiction, Story

Remembering Ken Nordine

by Tom Maxwell February 19, 2019October 19, 2022

The ambitious radio personality created his own form of expression, called “word jazz,” to properly accomodate his musical voice and artistic ambitions.