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
Talking to a friend tonight about Erroll Garner reminded me that I wrote this meditation on Garner as a composer more than seven years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago. Reposting since some folks may find it interesting. www.wbgo.org/music/2018-0...
Considering Erroll Garner the Composer, with An Exclusive Premiere From 'Nightconcert'
Quick, hum a few bars of an original composition by Erroll Garner — other than “Misty.”Serious Garner-philes surely know the impish “Afternoon of an Elf,”…
www.wbgo.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Talking to a friend tonight about Erroll Garner reminded me that I wrote this meditation on Garner as a composer more than seven years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago. Reposting since some folks may find it interesting. www.wbgo.org/music/2018-0...
Reposted by Mark Stryker
One of my favorite BNC’s!
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 AM
One of my favorite BNC’s!
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Kenny Cox deserved far more acclaim than he received. He was also a funny and kind man.
November 9, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Kenny Cox deserved far more acclaim than he received. He was also a funny and kind man.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
Remarkable place
November 9, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Remarkable place
I love this place. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
One Bookstore, 3 Sisters and 100 Years
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I love this place. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/n...
Truth Teller
Detroit-born pianist and composer Kenn Cox would have turned 85 today. He was a hero, a cultural warrior. I have a photo of him in my office that he inscribed: "To Mark -- a favorite scribe. Keep telling the truth as you see it. That's what music is."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRl...
Detroit-born pianist and composer Kenn Cox would have turned 85 today. He was a hero, a cultural warrior. I have a photo of him in my office that he inscribed: "To Mark -- a favorite scribe. Keep telling the truth as you see it. That's what music is."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRl...
Mystique
YouTube video by Kenny Cox - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Truth Teller
Detroit-born pianist and composer Kenn Cox would have turned 85 today. He was a hero, a cultural warrior. I have a photo of him in my office that he inscribed: "To Mark -- a favorite scribe. Keep telling the truth as you see it. That's what music is."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRl...
Detroit-born pianist and composer Kenn Cox would have turned 85 today. He was a hero, a cultural warrior. I have a photo of him in my office that he inscribed: "To Mark -- a favorite scribe. Keep telling the truth as you see it. That's what music is."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRl...
Well played.
He should call it And Another Thing
John Carpenter says he's working on a sequel to 'The Thing'
"We'll see"
"We'll see"
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Well played.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
The Boss
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Old Devil Moon (Live At The Village Vanguard/1957 / Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
YouTube video by Sonny Rollins - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Boss
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
The Boss
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Old Devil Moon (Live At The Village Vanguard/1957 / Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
YouTube video by Sonny Rollins - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Boss
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Sonny Rollins recorded my all-time favorite record 68 years ago today, 11/3/57. This music has not aged a day. If you heard Sonny, Wilbur Ware, and Elvin Jones plays this exact same set tonight at the Vanguard, it would still sound state of the art. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHR...
Evening Vinyl
1940-41 recordings, 1966 pressing.
1940-41 recordings, 1966 pressing.
November 3, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Evening Vinyl
1940-41 recordings, 1966 pressing.
1940-41 recordings, 1966 pressing.
Pitchers and catchers report in 99 days.
November 2, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Pitchers and catchers report in 99 days.
Baseball is the greatest game, and it's not even close. It NEVER stops surprising you.
November 1, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Baseball is the greatest game, and it's not even close. It NEVER stops surprising you.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
“If they ask me, I could write a book…” Those cats are swinging! Well done sir!
October 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“If they ask me, I could write a book…” Those cats are swinging! Well done sir!
New acquisition
1965, first pressing. Arrangements by Frank Foster, Billy Byers, Dick Hyman, Mort Garson.
1965, first pressing. Arrangements by Frank Foster, Billy Byers, Dick Hyman, Mort Garson.
October 31, 2025 at 10:46 PM
New acquisition
1965, first pressing. Arrangements by Frank Foster, Billy Byers, Dick Hyman, Mort Garson.
1965, first pressing. Arrangements by Frank Foster, Billy Byers, Dick Hyman, Mort Garson.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
🧵Jack and Al
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🧵Jack and Al
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
🧵Jack and Al
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🧵Jack and Al
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
I heard Jack DeJohnette live many times, but the first time I saw him in person he wasn’t performing. He was hanging out in the corner of a long-gone Greenwich Village club, Lush Life, checking out a trio gig by pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Al Foster.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
🧵New Acquisition
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
🧵New Acquisition
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
🧵New Acquisition
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
🧵New Acquisition
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
Ralph Ellison ranks among my greatest heroes. His 1952 novel Invisible Man (and 1964 essay collection Shadow and Act) changed my life. I always wanted an early printing of a first edition of Invisible Man with a dust jacket, though a first printing is far out of my price range.
I bought this LP 10/83 after a friend introduced me to the Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. I barely knew anything about Bartok and nothing about Berio. The Bartok was wild, but I got it immediately. The Sinfonia was wilder and it took me a while get it. I was 20. The LP changed my life.
October 22, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I bought this LP 10/83 after a friend introduced me to the Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. I barely knew anything about Bartok and nothing about Berio. The Bartok was wild, but I got it immediately. The Sinfonia was wilder and it took me a while get it. I was 20. The LP changed my life.
A lot of old friends (of each other and of mine) on the bandstand here at the Green Mill in Chicago. Saxophonists Dave Liebman and Brad Wheeler, pianist Jim McNeely (RIP), bassist Kelly Sill (RIP), and drummer Joel Spencer. Check it out.
archive.org/details/1988...
A beautiful night with
A beautiful night with
archive.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
A lot of old friends (of each other and of mine) on the bandstand here at the Green Mill in Chicago. Saxophonists Dave Liebman and Brad Wheeler, pianist Jim McNeely (RIP), bassist Kelly Sill (RIP), and drummer Joel Spencer. Check it out.
Trio Music
America isn't perfect, but I take solace that on Oct. 20, within 60 years, 1874-1934, this country produced Charles Ives, Jelly Roll Morton and Eddie Harris. Three profound masters of American music that reflect the greatest promise, profound diversity and highest ideals of the nation.
America isn't perfect, but I take solace that on Oct. 20, within 60 years, 1874-1934, this country produced Charles Ives, Jelly Roll Morton and Eddie Harris. Three profound masters of American music that reflect the greatest promise, profound diversity and highest ideals of the nation.
October 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Trio Music
America isn't perfect, but I take solace that on Oct. 20, within 60 years, 1874-1934, this country produced Charles Ives, Jelly Roll Morton and Eddie Harris. Three profound masters of American music that reflect the greatest promise, profound diversity and highest ideals of the nation.
America isn't perfect, but I take solace that on Oct. 20, within 60 years, 1874-1934, this country produced Charles Ives, Jelly Roll Morton and Eddie Harris. Three profound masters of American music that reflect the greatest promise, profound diversity and highest ideals of the nation.
As a Bloomington native who earned a master's degree in journalism from IU, I have been horrified by the actions of the administration. I grew up hating Purdue because when in Rome & all that; but this act of solidarity is extraordinary. I renounce my animosity. Bravo & gratitude to the PU students.
This is a beautiful story
Purdue to the rescue of IU student newspaper, whose institution was attempting censorship. Details in alt!
October 19, 2025 at 12:46 AM
As a Bloomington native who earned a master's degree in journalism from IU, I have been horrified by the actions of the administration. I grew up hating Purdue because when in Rome & all that; but this act of solidarity is extraordinary. I renounce my animosity. Bravo & gratitude to the PU students.
Reposted by Mark Stryker
🧵Time Capsule
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
October 18, 2025 at 2:30 AM
🧵Time Capsule
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
🧵Time Capsule
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
October 18, 2025 at 2:30 AM
🧵Time Capsule
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.
This page from the Michigan Chronicle, the leading African American newspaper in Detroit, offers a snapshot of highlights on the Detroit jazz scene the week of Feb. 27, 1954.