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)
Thank you, Lisa Fielding and WBBM for asking me to speak about Chicago's crucial Vee-Jay Records in an interview conducted at Overflow Coffee in Vee-Jay's former headquarters at 1449 S. Michigan Ave.:
www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...
www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...
Black History Month: Chicago's own Vee-Jay Records
Vee Jay Records, the groundbreaking Black-owned label that once held the Beatles, The Four Seasons, and legendary soul and blues artists. WBBM’s Lisa Fielding takes us inside what once was its headqua...
www.audacy.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Thank you, Lisa Fielding and WBBM for asking me to speak about Chicago's crucial Vee-Jay Records in an interview conducted at Overflow Coffee in Vee-Jay's former headquarters at 1449 S. Michigan Ave.:
www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...
www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...
Illinoisans: Please contact your state representative, state senator, and Gov JB to help pass this bill requiring Illinois schools to teach Latin American studies. Few things are as crucial as learning more—actually, learning the basics—about this hemisphere we share.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
New bill requires Illinois schools to teach Latin American history and culture
A new proposal in the Illinois House would require all public elementary and high schools to teach a unit on the contributions of Latin Americans to the development of the United States.
www.yahoo.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Illinoisans: Please contact your state representative, state senator, and Gov JB to help pass this bill requiring Illinois schools to teach Latin American studies. Few things are as crucial as learning more—actually, learning the basics—about this hemisphere we share.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
For all my Wright College colleagues and for all students: Here's an upcoming event where I can guarantee the music will be great.
February 6, 2026 at 6:53 PM
For all my Wright College colleagues and for all students: Here's an upcoming event where I can guarantee the music will be great.
Tyrone Washington looking so frickin' cool in this Francis Wolff photo.
January 29, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Tyrone Washington looking so frickin' cool in this Francis Wolff photo.
Brilliant words from the always astute (and now Grammy nominated) Adam Shatz:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Adam Shatz · Another Country: Visions of America
America is a ‘battlefield’, Simone de Beauvoir wrote, ‘and you can only become passionate about the battle it is...
www.lrb.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Brilliant words from the always astute (and now Grammy nominated) Adam Shatz:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
New semester, new coffee mug.
January 11, 2026 at 7:03 PM
New semester, new coffee mug.
I've always enjoyed the music on the Arbors label. It's traditional, old school jazz that's always played with a great sense of spirit and joy. So it's not surprising that one of its artists, vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd, has become a hero for our time.
December 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I've always enjoyed the music on the Arbors label. It's traditional, old school jazz that's always played with a great sense of spirit and joy. So it's not surprising that one of its artists, vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd, has become a hero for our time.
Reposted by Aaron Cohen
You’d better watch out! A very special Christmas bonus episode just dropped! 🎅🎁
A thirty-six minute delve into "Silent Night Chant", by Rotary Connection.
Sign up to the Patreon to listen:
www.patreon.com/posts/146619...
A thirty-six minute delve into "Silent Night Chant", by Rotary Connection.
Sign up to the Patreon to listen:
www.patreon.com/posts/146619...
December 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
You’d better watch out! A very special Christmas bonus episode just dropped! 🎅🎁
A thirty-six minute delve into "Silent Night Chant", by Rotary Connection.
Sign up to the Patreon to listen:
www.patreon.com/posts/146619...
A thirty-six minute delve into "Silent Night Chant", by Rotary Connection.
Sign up to the Patreon to listen:
www.patreon.com/posts/146619...
Professor: Which browser do you use, Firefox or Chrome?
Student: Chrome. Nobody uses Firefox. Except for ... teachers...
Professor: Yeah, I know you meant to say "old people."
Student: Chrome. Nobody uses Firefox. Except for ... teachers...
Professor: Yeah, I know you meant to say "old people."
December 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Professor: Which browser do you use, Firefox or Chrome?
Student: Chrome. Nobody uses Firefox. Except for ... teachers...
Professor: Yeah, I know you meant to say "old people."
Student: Chrome. Nobody uses Firefox. Except for ... teachers...
Professor: Yeah, I know you meant to say "old people."
The brilliant jazz singer Paul Marinaro majestically interprets Duke Ellington's compositions for his new "Mood Ellington." Along with Marinaro's 9-piece band (plus string section), 13 top arrangers add their orchestrations. It was an honor to write its liner notes.
originarts.com/recordings/r...
originarts.com/recordings/r...
Paul Marinaro Mood Ellington (Origin 82937)
originarts.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:58 AM
The brilliant jazz singer Paul Marinaro majestically interprets Duke Ellington's compositions for his new "Mood Ellington." Along with Marinaro's 9-piece band (plus string section), 13 top arrangers add their orchestrations. It was an honor to write its liner notes.
originarts.com/recordings/r...
originarts.com/recordings/r...
Professor: Wrapping up the semester, does anybody have any overarching questions?
Student: If the Aztec gods were so powerful, how come they didn't stop the Spanish colonizers?
Professor: Don't assume the war is over.
Student: If the Aztec gods were so powerful, how come they didn't stop the Spanish colonizers?
Professor: Don't assume the war is over.
December 6, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Professor: Wrapping up the semester, does anybody have any overarching questions?
Student: If the Aztec gods were so powerful, how come they didn't stop the Spanish colonizers?
Professor: Don't assume the war is over.
Student: If the Aztec gods were so powerful, how come they didn't stop the Spanish colonizers?
Professor: Don't assume the war is over.
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.
It's ludicrous when a newspaper publishes a piece that implies what a politician studied in college determines how that person will govern (ex.: New York Times). I was an English lit major but no h.r. department believed that I would use the office break room to re-enact Chaucer's "Miller's Tale."
November 8, 2025 at 10:12 PM
It's ludicrous when a newspaper publishes a piece that implies what a politician studied in college determines how that person will govern (ex.: New York Times). I was an English lit major but no h.r. department believed that I would use the office break room to re-enact Chaucer's "Miller's Tale."
What a wild week this has been: Republicans and Islamophobes got beat all across the country, my man Adam Shatz snagged his first Grammy nomination (the cool Scott B. Bomar and Bob Mehr are returning nominees) and Patti Smith revealed that she's half Jewish.
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
What a wild week this has been: Republicans and Islamophobes got beat all across the country, my man Adam Shatz snagged his first Grammy nomination (the cool Scott B. Bomar and Bob Mehr are returning nominees) and Patti Smith revealed that she's half Jewish.
So, as it turns out, Debra Messing is as much of a racist as her character on "Seinfeld."
November 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
So, as it turns out, Debra Messing is as much of a racist as her character on "Seinfeld."
This happened on Sunday a few blocks away from where we live (we weren't home at the time and didn't find out about it until afterwards). Frightening but I'm glad to live in a neighborhood that is standing up to this tyranny.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/13/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/13/f...
Federal Agents Deploy Tear Gas In Albany Park As Neighbors Block Immigration Arrest
It is the latest use of chemical irritants deployed by agents in neighborhoods. The incident was also the latest example of increased neighbor resistance to immigration enforcement in Chicago.
blockclubchicago.org
October 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This happened on Sunday a few blocks away from where we live (we weren't home at the time and didn't find out about it until afterwards). Frightening but I'm glad to live in a neighborhood that is standing up to this tyranny.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/13/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/13/f...
I first saw Joshua Redman around 33 years ago when he performed in Chicago with his father, Dewey. His recent quartet albums are among his best. Here's a conversation we had for Symphony Center Presents, which is where he'll be next month:
cso.org/experience/a...
cso.org/experience/a...
With his latest quartet, Joshua Redman moves forward by stepping back | Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Redman credits his latest quartet with giving him a different outlook. "They’re all young, but they’re playing music that is very mature," he says. "It requires a lot of sensitivity and humilit...
cso.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I first saw Joshua Redman around 33 years ago when he performed in Chicago with his father, Dewey. His recent quartet albums are among his best. Here's a conversation we had for Symphony Center Presents, which is where he'll be next month:
cso.org/experience/a...
cso.org/experience/a...
I was sent to observe a class today that was discussing "Dr. Faustus." I was tempted to enter the room by saying, "Please allow me to introduce myself...." but I don't know who would have gotten the connection.
October 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I was sent to observe a class today that was discussing "Dr. Faustus." I was tempted to enter the room by saying, "Please allow me to introduce myself...." but I don't know who would have gotten the connection.
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.