Leaves rustle as they are swept into a cyclone. Laughter and excitement emanate from the voices of students on a field trip down the block. The dull, constant, drill-and-whirr of machinery against metal down the street contributes to the sound of an impromptu orchestra. This is the music that is often for granted—and that is the focus of Too Much Future, a public artwork… continue

This year marks the centenary of American musical giant—and Massachusetts native—Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), and over 3000 tributes have been planned around the globe to culminate in his birth anniversary on August 25th. I had the opportunity to attend two events in Washington, D.C. on a weekend in May. The foremost question… continue

It may never be possible to empirically demonstrate the value of poetry. Just think about the amount of academic energy spent struggling to build a scientific understanding of even the simplest kinds of language. An answer to the question “Why Poetry?” is even more elusive than a coherent response to “How Words?” because… continue

Imagine walking into a beachside diner in the 1960s, ordering a frothy chocolate milkshake, and sliding a nickel into the jukebox. Outside the windows, the waves off the California coast crash and recede against the golden sands. Guitar riffs and illustrious vocals delivered by a 21st century singer summoning… continue

Trumpeter Itamar Borochov might be the most interesting jazz musician you’ll hear in 2018. The young and highly original virtuoso just dropped an album that defies words in its embodiment of musical oxymorons. How can a jazz album be this lyrical, with enchanting melodies that shake the very bottom of your heart, and stay in your mind for days to come, yet bafflingly… continue