Mark Stryker
@markstryker.bsky.social
Author, Journalist, Critic, Filmmaker.
Books: “Jazz from Detroit”; “Destiny: 100 Years of Music, Magic, and Community at Orchestra Hall in Detroit.”
Film: “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit.”
Former Detroit Free Press arts reporter/critic, 1995-2016
Books: “Jazz from Detroit”; “Destiny: 100 Years of Music, Magic, and Community at Orchestra Hall in Detroit.”
Film: “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit.”
Former Detroit Free Press arts reporter/critic, 1995-2016
A reminder to please join me, Detroit City Historian Jamon Jordan, Justin Norman & Detroit director of arts/culture
@rochelleriley.bsky.social for a conversation about Detroit's central role in jazz history. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at the Valade Jazz Center, 4743 Cass Ave., Wayne State Univ.
@rochelleriley.bsky.social for a conversation about Detroit's central role in jazz history. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at the Valade Jazz Center, 4743 Cass Ave., Wayne State Univ.
December 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A reminder to please join me, Detroit City Historian Jamon Jordan, Justin Norman & Detroit director of arts/culture
@rochelleriley.bsky.social for a conversation about Detroit's central role in jazz history. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at the Valade Jazz Center, 4743 Cass Ave., Wayne State Univ.
@rochelleriley.bsky.social for a conversation about Detroit's central role in jazz history. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at the Valade Jazz Center, 4743 Cass Ave., Wayne State Univ.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Very well said. He captures that feeling shared by so many jazz musicians in Detroit.
December 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Very well said. He captures that feeling shared by so many jazz musicians in Detroit.
In this outtake from Pat Metheny's interview for "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit," the superstar guitarist explores the quality of human connection that links Detroit musicians across genres. The film premieres Dec. 9 on Prime Video. Don't miss it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZJ...
Pat Metheny on the Detroit Sound
YouTube video by The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
In this outtake from Pat Metheny's interview for "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit," the superstar guitarist explores the quality of human connection that links Detroit musicians across genres. The film premieres Dec. 9 on Prime Video. Don't miss it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZJ...
Join me Monday at 6 p.m. at the Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State for a special onstage conversation w/ Detroit City Historian Jamon Jordan & co-founder of Verse+Hook Justin Norman about Detroit's central role in jazz history. Moderated by Rochelle Riley, director of arts & culture for Detroit.
December 5, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Join me Monday at 6 p.m. at the Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State for a special onstage conversation w/ Detroit City Historian Jamon Jordan & co-founder of Verse+Hook Justin Norman about Detroit's central role in jazz history. Moderated by Rochelle Riley, director of arts & culture for Detroit.
Happy birthday to the sparkling pianist Wynton Kelly, who would have turned 94 today.
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Miles Davis to Jimmy Cobb: “l sure wish I could swing like Wynton.”
Cobb: “I sure wish you could, too, Miles.”
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Miles Davis to Jimmy Cobb: “l sure wish I could swing like Wynton.”
Cobb: “I sure wish you could, too, Miles.”
--
December 3, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Happy birthday to the sparkling pianist Wynton Kelly, who would have turned 94 today.
--
Miles Davis to Jimmy Cobb: “l sure wish I could swing like Wynton.”
Cobb: “I sure wish you could, too, Miles.”
--
--
Miles Davis to Jimmy Cobb: “l sure wish I could swing like Wynton.”
Cobb: “I sure wish you could, too, Miles.”
--
New Video
In this excerpt from "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,"
Regina Carter talks about the special allure that Detroit music has for audiences all across the world. The film premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Watch this holiday season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwO...
In this excerpt from "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,"
Regina Carter talks about the special allure that Detroit music has for audiences all across the world. The film premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Watch this holiday season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwO...
Regina Carter on the Magic of Detroit
YouTube video by The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New Video
In this excerpt from "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,"
Regina Carter talks about the special allure that Detroit music has for audiences all across the world. The film premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Watch this holiday season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwO...
In this excerpt from "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,"
Regina Carter talks about the special allure that Detroit music has for audiences all across the world. The film premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Watch this holiday season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwO...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
"The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" officially premieres on Prime Video in just over a week on Dec. 9.
December 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
"The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" officially premieres on Prime Video in just over a week on Dec. 9.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
New Review
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit article @ All About Jazz
Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit article by Paul Rauch, published on December 1, 2025 at All About Jazz. Find more Film Review articles
www.allaboutjazz.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
New Review
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
New Review
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit article @ All About Jazz
Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit article by Paul Rauch, published on December 1, 2025 at All About Jazz. Find more Film Review articles
www.allaboutjazz.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
New Review
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
"With the challenge of including the immense volume and complexity of the story line and the narrative tributaries ... the film tastefully stresses the most important aspects in such a way that pulls the audience in hook, line and sinker."
www.allaboutjazz.com/best-of-the-...
We have an entire sequence in the film devoted to the influence of jazz musicians on Motown, singling out bassist James Jamerson, who studied with Barry Harris. Plus great stories from the late session trombonist George Bohanon & comments from Christian McBride/Pat Metheny/Wayne Kramer on the topic.
Mentioned in this clip and maybe not so well known but the phenomenon that is Motown owes a lot to Detroit Jazz musicians.
New Video posted: A brief excerpt from "he Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit summarizes a major theme of the film: You can’t tell the history of jazz without telling the history of jazz from Detroit. Premiering on Prime Video starting on Dec. 9. Don't miss it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAac...
November 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We have an entire sequence in the film devoted to the influence of jazz musicians on Motown, singling out bassist James Jamerson, who studied with Barry Harris. Plus great stories from the late session trombonist George Bohanon & comments from Christian McBride/Pat Metheny/Wayne Kramer on the topic.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Mentioned in this clip and maybe not so well known but the phenomenon that is Motown owes a lot to Detroit Jazz musicians.
New Video posted: A brief excerpt from "he Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit summarizes a major theme of the film: You can’t tell the history of jazz without telling the history of jazz from Detroit. Premiering on Prime Video starting on Dec. 9. Don't miss it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAac...
Detroit Jazz: Innovators, Legends, Stars
YouTube video by The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Mentioned in this clip and maybe not so well known but the phenomenon that is Motown owes a lot to Detroit Jazz musicians.
New Video posted: A brief excerpt from "he Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit summarizes a major theme of the film: You can’t tell the history of jazz without telling the history of jazz from Detroit. Premiering on Prime Video starting on Dec. 9. Don't miss it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAac...
Detroit Jazz: Innovators, Legends, Stars
YouTube video by The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
New Video posted: A brief excerpt from "he Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit summarizes a major theme of the film: You can’t tell the history of jazz without telling the history of jazz from Detroit. Premiering on Prime Video starting on Dec. 9. Don't miss it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAac...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
I literally just posted about this album!
November 28, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I literally just posted about this album!
This is a great record. Plus Kayvon Gordon -- #JazzFromDetroit.
I don't expect to see saxophonist Nicole Glover's Memories, Dreams, Reflections on many year-end lists (at least in part because HighNote/Savant's PR operation is basically nonexistent), but it's on mine.
November 28, 2025 at 10:22 PM
This is a great record. Plus Kayvon Gordon -- #JazzFromDetroit.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Among many other things, Frederick Douglass was one of the very first important theorists of photography, a fact that historians have been exploring for a couple decades — and that the white photography world continues to largely ignore. Here's an intro. www.nps.gov/articles/000...
Frederick Douglass and the Power of Photography (U.S. National Park Service)
www.nps.gov
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Among many other things, Frederick Douglass was one of the very first important theorists of photography, a fact that historians have been exploring for a couple decades — and that the white photography world continues to largely ignore. Here's an intro. www.nps.gov/articles/000...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
🧵Happy Birthday to trumpeter Randy Brecker, who turns 80 today and continues to play his ass off--check out his work on David Kikoski's recently released "Weekend at Small's." recorded just a year ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpZ...
Winney's Garden
YouTube video by David Kikoski - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🧵Happy Birthday to trumpeter Randy Brecker, who turns 80 today and continues to play his ass off--check out his work on David Kikoski's recently released "Weekend at Small's." recorded just a year ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpZ...
🧵Happy Birthday to trumpeter Randy Brecker, who turns 80 today and continues to play his ass off--check out his work on David Kikoski's recently released "Weekend at Small's." recorded just a year ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpZ...
Winney's Garden
YouTube video by David Kikoski - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🧵Happy Birthday to trumpeter Randy Brecker, who turns 80 today and continues to play his ass off--check out his work on David Kikoski's recently released "Weekend at Small's." recorded just a year ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpZ...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
The great Johnny O'Neal: There's only one of those! Here's the opener from his latest CD. Honored to have him on camera in "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" and to show him playing and singing. Film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Don't miss it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJJ...
Chicago
YouTube video by Johnny O'Neal - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The great Johnny O'Neal: There's only one of those! Here's the opener from his latest CD. Honored to have him on camera in "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" and to show him playing and singing. Film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Don't miss it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJJ...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
A great pianist. Saw him twice at Baker’s.
November 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A great pianist. Saw him twice at Baker’s.
The great Johnny O'Neal: There's only one of those! Here's the opener from his latest CD. Honored to have him on camera in "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" and to show him playing and singing. Film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Don't miss it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJJ...
Chicago
YouTube video by Johnny O'Neal - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The great Johnny O'Neal: There's only one of those! Here's the opener from his latest CD. Honored to have him on camera in "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" and to show him playing and singing. Film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9. Don't miss it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJJ...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Inspired me to get this album out. The Tommy Flanagan, Eddie Locke, Major Holley band.
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Inspired me to get this album out. The Tommy Flanagan, Eddie Locke, Major Holley band.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
“That’s what music is—adventure.”
Happy birthday to Coleman Hawkins, b. 121 years ago today on 11/21/1904. I wrote this 3 years ago for Jazz Times about his late work between 1959-63, when his music turned another corner. There's a lot more to Hawk than "Body and Soul." jazztimes.com/features/col...
Happy birthday to Coleman Hawkins, b. 121 years ago today on 11/21/1904. I wrote this 3 years ago for Jazz Times about his late work between 1959-63, when his music turned another corner. There's a lot more to Hawk than "Body and Soul." jazztimes.com/features/col...
Coleman Hawkins Reaches New Heights in the Late ’50s and Early ’60s
Already a legend, saxophonist Coleman Hawkins reached new heights in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Learn more in this edition of Chronology.
jazztimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Good news: I have learned that "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" will in fact also be streaming in the United Kingdom on Prime Video starting on December 9. Very excited about this for followers on tbe other side of the pond.
Will that also be Prime in the UK, do you know?
November 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Good news: I have learned that "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" will in fact also be streaming in the United Kingdom on Prime Video starting on December 9. Very excited about this for followers on tbe other side of the pond.
Just Added: A fresh addition to "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" YouTube Channel. Take a look at this excerpt from the film, subscribe to the channel, and, for God's sake, don't forget that the film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWSq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWSq...
The Great Migration and the Duality of African American Experience in Detroit
YouTube video by The Best of the Best: Jazz From Detroit
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Just Added: A fresh addition to "The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit" YouTube Channel. Take a look at this excerpt from the film, subscribe to the channel, and, for God's sake, don't forget that the film officially premieres on Prime Video on Dec. 9.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWSq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWSq...