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Fort Hood
David Frum, one of America’s last sane conservatives, links to famous photographs that remind us of the sacrifice of Muslims who died as members of the U.S. military. And yet just yesterday, the very day of the Fort Hood massacre, GOP House members gave their imprimatur to a fanatical far-right rally, at which people held up posters of President Obama
Rage in Peace
Steven Wells of Philadelphia Weekly died not long ago, as I mentioned. Here’s a very fitting — that is, surpassingly weird — video tribute. Steven Wells Tribute Film from Roger Sargent on Vimeo.
On Vijay Iyer
My preview of the Vijay Iyer Trio at Jazz Standard, in this week’s Time Out New York.
Philadelphia haps, cont’d.
In the current Philadelphia Weekly: Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory OrchestraFri., Nov. 6, 8pm. $12. With DJ hi-res. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684 www.arsnovaworkshop.org The term is archaic, but “territory bands” used to tour circumscribed areas of the U.S., covering popular hits and riling up dance crowds. Trumpeter Steven Bernstein (of Sex Mob fame) nods to that storied past
Surprised, and yet not
James Traficant, nine-term Democratic congressman from Ohio and convicted felon, has kicked off his post-prison career by blaming the Jews for his plight and signing on as a columnist for the neo-fascist American Free Press. Adam Holland has the story, and many other stomach-churning stories as well. Make it a point to read his excellent blog.
On Linda Oh
My feature [pdf] on bassist Linda Oh, in the November 2009 Jazz Times.
Six Picks: November 2009
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, November 2009: Gerald Clayton, Two-Shade (ArtistShare) Graham Dechter, Right On Time (Capri) Anne Drummond, Like Water (ObliqSound) Terell Stafford-Dick Oatts Quintet, Bridging the Gap (Planet Arts) Henry Threadgill’s ZOOID, This Brings Us To, Volume 1 (Pi Recordings) Miguel Zenón, Esta Plena (Marsalis Music)
Authoritarian bedfellows
Not the ones you’d think, but bedfellows just the same. Johann Hari demolishes Ayn Rand (nee Alisa Rosenbaum), who remains a right-wing saint despite her mediocrity (not to mention her forthright celebration of child rape and murder). And Alan Johnson rips into Slavoj Zizek, equally a star among the academic far left (subscriber link only). Zizek finds Hermann Goering’s view