Nate Chinen
@natechinen.bsky.social
Writing and talking about music. Forever listening.
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
November 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
November 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
I think about Jack’s first night in NYC, sitting in with Freddie at Minton’s. Harold Mabern on piano, Larry Ridley on bass… and Al Foster on drums. I imagine Al was impressed (and maybe taken aback) by the new kid in town. Here’s the relevant excerpt from Jack’s oral history for the Smithsonian.
October 30, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I think about Jack’s first night in NYC, sitting in with Freddie at Minton’s. Harold Mabern on piano, Larry Ridley on bass… and Al Foster on drums. I imagine Al was impressed (and maybe taken aback) by the new kid in town. Here’s the relevant excerpt from Jack’s oral history for the Smithsonian.
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
October 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
Through George Wein, I once interviewed Elliot Hoffman, “lawyer to the stars,” who served as tour manager for the Coltranes in Japan. There are a few stories! Here’s a pertinent page from George’s book.
October 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Through George Wein, I once interviewed Elliot Hoffman, “lawyer to the stars,” who served as tour manager for the Coltranes in Japan. There are a few stories! Here’s a pertinent page from George’s book.
October 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Ravi Coltrane Quartet was stupendous at Solar Myth tonight, playing John Coltrane’s music as a benefit for the Coltrane House in Philly’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
October 11, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Ravi Coltrane Quartet was stupendous at Solar Myth tonight, playing John Coltrane’s music as a benefit for the Coltrane House in Philly’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
Tonight I finished George Saunders’ magisterial LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, which didn’t quite take for me in 2017, whatever the reason. One person who hailed it at the time was Colson Whitehead; here’s how he concluded his trenchant appraisal in the Times.
August 13, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Tonight I finished George Saunders’ magisterial LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, which didn’t quite take for me in 2017, whatever the reason. One person who hailed it at the time was Colson Whitehead; here’s how he concluded his trenchant appraisal in the Times.
Everything is bad and burning but the hibiscus plant that we nurse indoors through every cold long winter is now living her best summer life and I thought you’d want to know 🌺
July 18, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Everything is bad and burning but the hibiscus plant that we nurse indoors through every cold long winter is now living her best summer life and I thought you’d want to know 🌺
Centrism is a helluva drug
July 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Centrism is a helluva drug
Co-signing this point with a pic of my gal
July 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Co-signing this point with a pic of my gal
Oh, is it time again to talk about Bruno? Look to The Gig. 🤙🏽 🎧
June 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Oh, is it time again to talk about Bruno? Look to The Gig. 🤙🏽 🎧
Shinola just unveiled this J Dilla watch, part of its “Great American” series. Pretty cool, and a sick design — but I dunno, is Dilla the right icon for a timepiece? I’d constantly be fretting about whether I’m a minute late or 4.7 seconds early. #dillatime
May 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Shinola just unveiled this J Dilla watch, part of its “Great American” series. Pretty cool, and a sick design — but I dunno, is Dilla the right icon for a timepiece? I’d constantly be fretting about whether I’m a minute late or 4.7 seconds early. #dillatime
Bought a super clean copy of this winner at Home Rule over the weekend. Come for the exquisite soul-jazz, stay (or not) for the casual sexism. (Plus ça change, @natalieweiner.bsky.social?)
April 29, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Bought a super clean copy of this winner at Home Rule over the weekend. Come for the exquisite soul-jazz, stay (or not) for the casual sexism. (Plus ça change, @natalieweiner.bsky.social?)
Whew, I hope B didn't tackle him *too* hard. Seems a little extreme, idk
April 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Whew, I hope B didn't tackle him *too* hard. Seems a little extreme, idk
A couple of weeks ago, I hosted an illuminating livestream about Strata-East Records and its exciting new reissue campaign. Full video of the conversation is now available at The Gig. Here’s a taste (of me thinking my way through a take). thegig.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A couple of weeks ago, I hosted an illuminating livestream about Strata-East Records and its exciting new reissue campaign. Full video of the conversation is now available at The Gig. Here’s a taste (of me thinking my way through a take). thegig.substack.com
The award for dopest album with dumbest liners might have to go to Dr. Lonnie Smith’s THINK!
Rhett Evers writes: “No matter who you are friend, it is not so easy to define the style of an era as complex as music.“ (Keep reading, it gets even better.)
Rhett Evers writes: “No matter who you are friend, it is not so easy to define the style of an era as complex as music.“ (Keep reading, it gets even better.)
February 15, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The award for dopest album with dumbest liners might have to go to Dr. Lonnie Smith’s THINK!
Rhett Evers writes: “No matter who you are friend, it is not so easy to define the style of an era as complex as music.“ (Keep reading, it gets even better.)
Rhett Evers writes: “No matter who you are friend, it is not so easy to define the style of an era as complex as music.“ (Keep reading, it gets even better.)
Ugh ok fine you guys, I guess I have to learn more about Vanya Sax
February 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Ugh ok fine you guys, I guess I have to learn more about Vanya Sax
TODAY at 6pm ET, I’m hosting a panel with three esteemed colleagues and a special guest. We’ll be talking about the legacy, lore and relaunch of Strata-East Records — and the four iconic albums we each annotated for reissue. Come join us! Free with registration. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
TODAY at 6pm ET, I’m hosting a panel with three esteemed colleagues and a special guest. We’ll be talking about the legacy, lore and relaunch of Strata-East Records — and the four iconic albums we each annotated for reissue. Come join us! Free with registration. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Three masters — Barron, Carter, Watts — finding a magic vibration at The Jazz Gallery tonight. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
February 8, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Three masters — Barron, Carter, Watts — finding a magic vibration at The Jazz Gallery tonight. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
No need for Lilliputian interventions when we have Jalen Carter
February 5, 2025 at 2:11 PM
No need for Lilliputian interventions when we have Jalen Carter
Season 1, Episode 8 of Severance has a pretty sweet David Lynch tribute fyi
January 17, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Season 1, Episode 8 of Severance has a pretty sweet David Lynch tribute fyi
My annual Winter Jazzfest immersion is underway — first up, an absolutely gorgeous-sounding Jenny Scheinman band, playing music from ‘All Species Parade’
January 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
My annual Winter Jazzfest immersion is underway — first up, an absolutely gorgeous-sounding Jenny Scheinman band, playing music from ‘All Species Parade’