Nate Chinen
@natechinen.bsky.social
Writing and talking about music. Forever listening.
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
"In a Venn diagram of people deeply concerned about Michelin ratings and people deeply concerned about cheesesteaks, the overlap is not large," writes Julia Moskin.
Umm I know a lot of Philadelphians who'd take issue with that assessment. (We are large, we contain multitudes, etc.) #GoBirds
Umm I know a lot of Philadelphians who'd take issue with that assessment. (We are large, we contain multitudes, etc.) #GoBirds
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"In a Venn diagram of people deeply concerned about Michelin ratings and people deeply concerned about cheesesteaks, the overlap is not large," writes Julia Moskin.
Umm I know a lot of Philadelphians who'd take issue with that assessment. (We are large, we contain multitudes, etc.) #GoBirds
Umm I know a lot of Philadelphians who'd take issue with that assessment. (We are large, we contain multitudes, etc.) #GoBirds
Who reviews live jazz gigs in 2025? Uh, this guy. Here's my take on a Tim Berne gig in Philly, with the bright young pianist Tyler Bullock and a killer drummer, Timothy Angulo.
The Mento and the Manatee
Tim Berne and Tyler Bullock at the Black Squirrel Club
thegig.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Who reviews live jazz gigs in 2025? Uh, this guy. Here's my take on a Tim Berne gig in Philly, with the bright young pianist Tyler Bullock and a killer drummer, Timothy Angulo.
NPR’s awesome Books We Love package is out today: Such bounty! There goes my nightstand! Here is my blurb for Jeff Chang’s magisterial cultural biography of Bruce Lee.
Books We Love
Here are 380+ great reads from 2025 handpicked just for you by NPR staffers and trusted critics.
apps.npr.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 PM
NPR’s awesome Books We Love package is out today: Such bounty! There goes my nightstand! Here is my blurb for Jeff Chang’s magisterial cultural biography of Bruce Lee.
Reposted by Nate Chinen
Psyched to dive into Billy Hart's new live album this weekend and @natechinen.bsky.social (who wrote the liner notes) has an excellent rundown:
thegig.substack.com/p/drums-unli...
thegig.substack.com/p/drums-unli...
Drums Unlimited
Glorious new albums from Billy Hart and the late Al Foster
thegig.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Psyched to dive into Billy Hart's new live album this weekend and @natechinen.bsky.social (who wrote the liner notes) has an excellent rundown:
thegig.substack.com/p/drums-unli...
thegig.substack.com/p/drums-unli...
Two absolute gems, from a pair of master drummers and a murder’s row of Gen X standard-bearers. (I wrote liners for both.) Some insights herein.
Drums Unlimited
Glorious new albums from Billy Hart and the late Al Foster
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Two absolute gems, from a pair of master drummers and a murder’s row of Gen X standard-bearers. (I wrote liners for both.) Some insights herein.
‘How I Got Found Out, Part 1’
^ quick edit to your hed, just added a clarifying word to make it relatable to a lot of people in powerful circles. Also: reconsider “Part 1,” unless we’re committed to updating this weekly.
^ quick edit to your hed, just added a clarifying word to make it relatable to a lot of people in powerful circles. Also: reconsider “Part 1,” unless we’re committed to updating this weekly.
November 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
‘How I Got Found Out, Part 1’
^ quick edit to your hed, just added a clarifying word to make it relatable to a lot of people in powerful circles. Also: reconsider “Part 1,” unless we’re committed to updating this weekly.
^ quick edit to your hed, just added a clarifying word to make it relatable to a lot of people in powerful circles. Also: reconsider “Part 1,” unless we’re committed to updating this weekly.
Reposted by Nate Chinen
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
Reposted by Nate Chinen
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
November 13, 2025 at 1:37 AM
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
All this Epstein talk today. Just watch, tomorrow The White House will announce that the Lincoln Memorial is being bulldozed to clear space for the Vince McMahon Patriot Dome. Also, a declaration of war with Luxembourg.
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
All this Epstein talk today. Just watch, tomorrow The White House will announce that the Lincoln Memorial is being bulldozed to clear space for the Vince McMahon Patriot Dome. Also, a declaration of war with Luxembourg.
Reposted by Nate Chinen
" @maryhalvorson.bsky.social released what will soon officially be one of the most acclaimed jazz albums of 2025." — @natechinen.bsky.social in The Gig, on Halvorson, her sextet Amaryllis, and their latest album, 'About Ghosts' substack.com/home/post/p-...
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
" @maryhalvorson.bsky.social released what will soon officially be one of the most acclaimed jazz albums of 2025." — @natechinen.bsky.social in The Gig, on Halvorson, her sextet Amaryllis, and their latest album, 'About Ghosts' substack.com/home/post/p-...
Mary Halvorson's Amaryllis is the bomb. Herein, a new podcast episode, a Jazzfest Berlin review, and some additional thoughts.
Supracoracoideus
The mighty Mary Halvorson, in action and in conversation
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Mary Halvorson's Amaryllis is the bomb. Herein, a new podcast episode, a Jazzfest Berlin review, and some additional thoughts.
That Saquon run followed by that Davonte TD catch, this is the stuff
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
That Saquon run followed by that Davonte TD catch, this is the stuff
Hey, heads-up: Kassa Overall played an absolute knockout of an album-release show at Solar Myth two months ago. Tonight at 8pm, WRTI will play selections from that show on Sunday Rotation, hosted by @booker-julian.bsky.social. Tune in locally, or stream it worldwide. More info (+ video!) right here.
Kassa Overall at Solar Myth: hear it only on Sunday Rotation at WRTI
Tune in to Sunday Rotation on Nov. 9 to hear a world-exclusive broadcast of Kassa Overall's album-release show for CREAM, recorded at Solar Myth.
www.wrti.org
November 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hey, heads-up: Kassa Overall played an absolute knockout of an album-release show at Solar Myth two months ago. Tonight at 8pm, WRTI will play selections from that show on Sunday Rotation, hosted by @booker-julian.bsky.social. Tune in locally, or stream it worldwide. More info (+ video!) right here.
Had a great time talking with Khruangbin about their world-beating first decade, their back-to-the-barn new release, and the secret formula behind their rapport. Listen now at The Gig.
A Conversation with Khruangbin
The Houston-born trio on process, perspective, and 'The Universe Smiles Upon You ii'
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Had a great time talking with Khruangbin about their world-beating first decade, their back-to-the-barn new release, and the secret formula behind their rapport. Listen now at The Gig.
Footage of Cuomo heading back upstate
a black dodge charger is doing a burnout on a road
Alt: a black dodge charger is doing a burnout on a road
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Footage of Cuomo heading back upstate
Reposted by Nate Chinen
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
November 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
November 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
What does it look like when artists speak out? The other night in Berlin, it looked like Elder Ones.
All Empires Fall
Clarifying fire from Elder Ones at Jazzfest Berlin
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
What does it look like when artists speak out? The other night in Berlin, it looked like Elder Ones.
A few more thoughts about Jack DeJohnette, who left us this week (but is still with us in many ways)
For Jack DeJohnette
Tributes and tributaries, on the passing of a titan
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:28 AM
A few more thoughts about Jack DeJohnette, who left us this week (but is still with us in many ways)
Jack DeJohnette, just one of the deepest musicians ever, and a personal hero. Here is my obituary for NPR Music.
Jack DeJohnette, dynamic and instantly recognizable jazz drummer, dies at 83
Jack DeJohnette, of the most daring and singular jazz drummers of the last 60 years, died on Sunday.
www.npr.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Jack DeJohnette, just one of the deepest musicians ever, and a personal hero. Here is my obituary for NPR Music.
David Breskin has been behind some of the most vital recorded music in recent memory — including four of my No. 1 albums over the last decade. He doesn’t often talk publicly about that work, which is one reason this conversation is special. (There are myriad other reasons.)
Beauty is the Sharpest Tool: A Conversation with David Breskin
The producer and poet behind some of our most inspired albums
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
David Breskin has been behind some of the most vital recorded music in recent memory — including four of my No. 1 albums over the last decade. He doesn’t often talk publicly about that work, which is one reason this conversation is special. (There are myriad other reasons.)
In September 1958, Columbia threw a jazz party at the Plaza Hotel. Ralph Ellison wrote afterward to Albert Murray about "poor, evil, lost little Miles Davis" and his band. "These cats have gotten lost, man. They're trying to get hold of something by fucking up the blues." 🤨 youtu.be/_PrJhAERZlQ?...
Straight, No Chaser (Live at the Plaza Hotel, New York, NY - Sept. 1958)
YouTube video by Miles Davis - Topic
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In September 1958, Columbia threw a jazz party at the Plaza Hotel. Ralph Ellison wrote afterward to Albert Murray about "poor, evil, lost little Miles Davis" and his band. "These cats have gotten lost, man. They're trying to get hold of something by fucking up the blues." 🤨 youtu.be/_PrJhAERZlQ?...
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
October 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
There’s a new movie that worshipfully takes us behind the scenes of Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Köln Concert.’ Here are some of my problems with it.
The Cringe Hymn of 'Köln 75'
A new film extols and infantilizes Keith Jarrett's art
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:22 PM
There’s a new movie that worshipfully takes us behind the scenes of Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Köln Concert.’ Here are some of my problems with it.