Aaron Cohen
@aaroncohenchicago.bsky.social
Author of "Amazing Grace" (33 1/3; Bloomsbury), "Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power" (University of Chicago Press) and co-author of Ramsey Lewis' memoir, "Gentleman Of Jazz: A Life In Music" (Blackstone)
Next time you need style advice, turn to students' comments on the Rate My Professors web site.
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Next time you need style advice, turn to students' comments on the Rate My Professors web site.
The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago nominations are out today and in the category of Best Radio DJ is the one and only Mr. Jimmy himself: James Porter!
Vote online here:
chicagoreader.com/best-of-chic...
Vote online here:
chicagoreader.com/best-of-chic...
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago nominations are out today and in the category of Best Radio DJ is the one and only Mr. Jimmy himself: James Porter!
Vote online here:
chicagoreader.com/best-of-chic...
Vote online here:
chicagoreader.com/best-of-chic...
At 83 years old, this man performed in Chicago last night for three hours, played six different instruments, and sang in a voice that turned a bit of fragility into immense emotional weight. May all of you love what you do as much as he clearly does.
November 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
At 83 years old, this man performed in Chicago last night for three hours, played six different instruments, and sang in a voice that turned a bit of fragility into immense emotional weight. May all of you love what you do as much as he clearly does.
Most of my students recognize the woman on the left, none of them recognize the woman on the right. Both were wonderful artists but there would not have been a Selena if Lydia did not build that road.
November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Most of my students recognize the woman on the left, none of them recognize the woman on the right. Both were wonderful artists but there would not have been a Selena if Lydia did not build that road.
I've been speaking to my class about Fania Records but I'm not sure which T-shirt I should wear.
November 16, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I've been speaking to my class about Fania Records but I'm not sure which T-shirt I should wear.
No school today because of the Veterans Day holiday, but I talked to my class yesterday about the heroic all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) who bravely served in both World Wars and in Korea—only to be wrongfully maligned by the military's top brass.
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
No school today because of the Veterans Day holiday, but I talked to my class yesterday about the heroic all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) who bravely served in both World Wars and in Korea—only to be wrongfully maligned by the military's top brass.
Super excited to announce this recently unearthed 1962 live recording of the Ramsey Lewis Trio. "Groovin'" captures the spirit and ebullience that built the foundation for soon-to-come pop stardom. Verve Record Club did a fantastic job with the entire package (I wrote the liner notes).
October 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Super excited to announce this recently unearthed 1962 live recording of the Ramsey Lewis Trio. "Groovin'" captures the spirit and ebullience that built the foundation for soon-to-come pop stardom. Verve Record Club did a fantastic job with the entire package (I wrote the liner notes).
Talking to my class tomorrow about Peruvian artist Jesus Ruiz Durand (and advising them to see his orginal works here @artinstitutechi.bsky.social). I am of the belief that agrarian political art should also be trippy.
September 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Talking to my class tomorrow about Peruvian artist Jesus Ruiz Durand (and advising them to see his orginal works here @artinstitutechi.bsky.social). I am of the belief that agrarian political art should also be trippy.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
― James Baldwin
― James Baldwin
September 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
― James Baldwin
― James Baldwin
From the 27 January 1972 edition of the underground British newspaper International Times:
September 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
From the 27 January 1972 edition of the underground British newspaper International Times:
It was so exciting to see a new print of one of my favorites. I remember my first time experiencing "High And Low" when I was 18 and just had no idea that a single film could say all that. Almost 40 years later and I'm still amazed.
August 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It was so exciting to see a new print of one of my favorites. I remember my first time experiencing "High And Low" when I was 18 and just had no idea that a single film could say all that. Almost 40 years later and I'm still amazed.
I'm excited to participate in the 20th anniversary of The Secret History Of Chicago Music at the Hideout on June 14. And I'm doubly super excited that I'll lead a panel discussion about Chicago soul with the awesome Jackie Ross and Renaldo Domino. PLUS, Renaldo will perform!
April 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I'm excited to participate in the 20th anniversary of The Secret History Of Chicago Music at the Hideout on June 14. And I'm doubly super excited that I'll lead a panel discussion about Chicago soul with the awesome Jackie Ross and Renaldo Domino. PLUS, Renaldo will perform!
Very sad to hear of Andy Bey's passing. One of my favorite jazz singers, I interviewed him in New York 23 years ago. What I thought would be a one-hour conversation at a diner turned into an entire afternoon and evening of walking around lower Manhattan, listening to his incredible life's story.
April 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Very sad to hear of Andy Bey's passing. One of my favorite jazz singers, I interviewed him in New York 23 years ago. What I thought would be a one-hour conversation at a diner turned into an entire afternoon and evening of walking around lower Manhattan, listening to his incredible life's story.
Jerry Butler was a brilliant singer, the nexus between music and politics in Chicago, a driven entrepreneur and crucial musical organizer. He was also a very kind and generous person as he took the time to speak with me at length for my research on "Move On Up." And his quips were hilarious.
February 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Jerry Butler was a brilliant singer, the nexus between music and politics in Chicago, a driven entrepreneur and crucial musical organizer. He was also a very kind and generous person as he took the time to speak with me at length for my research on "Move On Up." And his quips were hilarious.
I just received this beautiful edition of Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén's 1967 classic and I'm looking forward to introducing it to my students. I don't know if they'll be thrilled that my recent acquisition means a little more work, but I'm sure they will be happy once they start reading his words.
February 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I just received this beautiful edition of Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén's 1967 classic and I'm looking forward to introducing it to my students. I don't know if they'll be thrilled that my recent acquisition means a little more work, but I'm sure they will be happy once they start reading his words.
Sad to hear of the passing of Gene "Daddy G" Barge. As a saxophonist, arranger and composer, his contributions to Chicago soul and gospel are immense. He was a wonderful storyteller and a truly kindhearted man. It was a blessing to speak with him and always a treat to hear him play.
February 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Sad to hear of the passing of Gene "Daddy G" Barge. As a saxophonist, arranger and composer, his contributions to Chicago soul and gospel are immense. He was a wonderful storyteller and a truly kindhearted man. It was a blessing to speak with him and always a treat to hear him play.
Rest easy, Sam Moore. The world knows the Sam & Dave hits, but that was just a slice of an incredible career. A lovely, warm and hilarious man whose life was never easy. Condolences to his wife, Joyce Moore, and their family.
January 11, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Rest easy, Sam Moore. The world knows the Sam & Dave hits, but that was just a slice of an incredible career. A lovely, warm and hilarious man whose life was never easy. Condolences to his wife, Joyce Moore, and their family.
I love Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's statement that the United States should be renamed América Mexicana. If there's one thing my people have always excelled at, it's been answering idiots with witty retorts.
January 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I love Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's statement that the United States should be renamed América Mexicana. If there's one thing my people have always excelled at, it's been answering idiots with witty retorts.
Happy 101st birthday to the brilliant arranger and composer, Johnny Pate!
December 6, 2024 at 5:18 AM
Happy 101st birthday to the brilliant arranger and composer, Johnny Pate!
Happy to be here on Bluesky with all of you. And if you want to get away from the madness on Sunday afternoon, I'll be spinning classic soul, rocksteady and ska with my friend King James Porter and some other cool folks. So come on down to Life On Marz, 1950 N. Western Ave.
November 14, 2024 at 1:39 AM
Happy to be here on Bluesky with all of you. And if you want to get away from the madness on Sunday afternoon, I'll be spinning classic soul, rocksteady and ska with my friend King James Porter and some other cool folks. So come on down to Life On Marz, 1950 N. Western Ave.