Nate Chinen

Philadelphia

Editorial Director at WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA)

Contributor at NPR

Author at The Gig (Newsletter)

'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century' || WRTI / NPR Music. Ex-NYT, JazzTimes. He/Him.

Featured in: Favicon

nytimes.com Favicon

scribd.com Favicon

smh.com.au Favicon

chicagotribune.com Favicon

seattletimes.com Favicon

mercurynews.com + 94 more

Articles

Francis Davis, RIP

1 week ago | thegig.substack.com | Nate Chinen
Francis Davis, a giant of jazz criticism, has died

1 week ago | wesa.fm | Nate Chinen

Francis Davis, an articulate and gimlet-eyed cultural critic who achieved an eminent stature in jazz, died on Monday at his home in Philadelphia. He was 78. His wife, Terry Gross, the co-executive producer and host of Fresh Air, confirmed his death to NPR Music. Davis had been under the care of home hospice since last fall, living with emphysema and Parkinson's disease. Davis held an influential post at The Village Voice, inheriting its main jazz column from Gary Giddins in 2004.
A Sonny Sharrock tribute, Minas' 40th anniversary, and 'New Dawn'

2 weeks ago | wrti.org | Nate Chinen

Did you know that spring’s wondrous bounty isn’t just a matter of daffodils and baseball training? Allow me to submit this week’s calendar, which yields amazing jazz offerings of all kinds. We’re not even listing the Nels Cline Consentrik Quartet, which sold out its Saturday show at Solar Myth in advance. Look at what we do have and see if you can’t find a good fit.
Ambrose Akinmusire: Bloomed at Big Ears

2 weeks ago | thegig.substack.com | Nate Chinen |Jacob Blickenstaff

As part of a suite of coverage from the Big Ears Festival, here’s another special collab between The Gig and , focusing on a single concert. Please enjoy!This is an odd and conflicted predilection for a trumpeter-bandleader situated, however loosely, in the volatile tradition of modern jazz. Akinmusire recognizes the paradox, has struggled in various ways before learning how to lean into it.
Opera Philadelphia announces an intrepid 30th anniversary season

3 weeks ago | wrti.org | Nate Chinen

Anthony Roth Costanzo has a fond story to tell from last year, which was his first as president and general director of Opera Philadelphia. As the company was preparing to stage The Listeners, a brilliantly searching contemporary opera by Missy Mazzoli, a musician in the orchestra made a left-field suggestion: why aren’t we buying ads on the Bigbelly trash bins all over the city?
Record Store Day Preview

3 weeks ago | wrti.org | Nate Chinen

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and we’re celebrating just as we always do, by chasing down live music and supporting the scene. But we’re also looking ahead to Record Store Day, which falls on April 12. It will bring a fresh bounty of new releases — including a customary haul of archival discoveries in deluxe editions. So for this episode, we’re talking all about RSD: the ins and outs, the ups and downs.
The Road Not Taken at Big Ears

3 weeks ago | thegig.substack.com | Nate Chinen

I don’t mean that literally, despite what the image above implies. In my experience, it’s actually the opposite: the vibe of the fest imparts a sort of hyperclarity to every musical encounter. The quality of listening is heightened. The powers of concentration are deepened. The appetite for sonic discovery is sharpened. And because of a wild profusion of enticing options, the FOMO is more or less constant, running like a low-voltage current through the whole affair.
Wadada Leo Smith and Vijay Iyer on their new album, 'Defiant Life' : NPR

4 weeks ago | npr.org | Nate Chinen

Wadada Leo Smith (left) and Vijay Iyer have known and collaborated with each other for decades. They have just released their second album as a duo, Defiant Life, with Smith on trumpet and Iyer on piano. @ogata_photo hide caption toggle caption @ogata_photo The live spark and open surrender of musical dialogue has long been a founding principle for trumpeter Wadada Leo Smithand pianist Vijay Iyer.
Let's Talk Big Ears

1 month ago | thegig.substack.com | Nate Chinen

Last night, I had a dream about Big Ears. The details are a little murky, and getting more so as they recede into the unconscious horizon — but I can clearly recall the premise. I was on site in Knoxville (or some alternate Dream Knoxville, as it were), having just left a panel or artist talk that I moderated. A sudden, dismaying thought: the festival is winding down. Almost over. And I still haven’t heard any music!I swear I’m remembering this truthfully, to the best of my ability.
Steve Lehman Trio +1 untangles 'The Music of Anthony Braxton'

1 month ago | wrti.org | Nate Chinen

A former prodigy. A legend’s progeny. A rock star turned free-improv catalyst. It’s all in the mix this week on the Philly jazz scene — and as always, Moment’s Notice is here to fill you in and catch you up. Whatever your tastes, there’s something here for you.

Contact details

Emails

[email protected]

Socials & Sites

Try JournoFinder For Free

Search and contact over 1M+ journalist profiles, browse 100M+ articles, and unlock powerful PR tools.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)

Followers: 22K
Tweets: 15K
DMs Open: No

No Tweets found.