Blue Box
When Saul Bellow taught at the U of M
In the May 8 edition, Neal Gendler reviewed a volume of Saul Bellow’s nonfiction writing. Readers interested in the illustrious...
Oded Lev-Ari debuts as leader
Oded Lev-Ari has produced albums for acclaimed jazz musicians (Anat Cohen, 3 Cohens, Marty Ehrlich, Amy Cervini, et al.), and...
David Berkman’s new CD reunites old friends
Pianist, composer and bandleader David Berkman reunited with Palmetto Records founder Matt Balitsaris to co-produce his new album, Old Friends...
‘Kabbalah Me’ explores Jewish mysticism
In every generation there’s a spiritual revival. Many baby boomers, for example, explored Eastern traditions — yoga, Zen Buddhism, etc....
Sol Gabetta’s lovely 'Prayer'
On her new album, Prayer (Sony Classical), Argentine star cellist Sol Gabetta plays a selection of music inspired by Jewish...
A free speech activist’s tragedy
The sad tale of a programming prodigy and free speech activist is told in the critically acclaimed documentary, The Internet’s...
Jorma Kaukonen tells stories of America
Jorma Kaukonen, who played electric guitar with Jefferson Airplane and plays acoustic guitar with Hot Tuna, says that his song...
Simone Dinnerstein plays Gershwin, Ravel
Renowned classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein celebrates the American-French artistic cross-fertilization in her new album, Broadway-Lafayette (Sony Classical), which will be...
Stories of those who’ve left orthodoxy
At the age of 13, author Lynn Davidman knew in her “gut” that she had left Orthodox Judaism. At that...
Nat Hentoff stands up for free speech
In addition to his career as a leading jazz critic, New York-based journalist Nat Hentoff has gained a reputation, over...
