Andy Beta
@andybeta.bsky.social
Author of Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane (Spring 2026) Pre-order it here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-beta/cosmic-music/9780306836169/
Pinned
Andy Beta
@andybeta.bsky.social
· Jan 15
Cosmic Music
The first full-length biography of Alice Coltrane, the jazz musician and spiritual leader whose forward-thinking music was overshadowed by her more famous hu...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
Book Announcement: On March 3rd, Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane will be out in the world. Pre-order at your local bookstore, directly from Hachette, or that other website that sells books: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
"An anomaly in Coltrane’s Impulse catalog, Ballads was the Impulse album that took him the longest to realize, taking nearly a year to finally complete it. [And] it would mark the last time Coltrane would explicitly play in this classical jazz style. " www.everythingjazz.com/story/john-c...
John Coltrane: Ballads - Everything Jazz
John Coltrane's questing music provoked some factions of the music press to question whether it was even jazz. Coltrane's response was one of the most lyrical, heartfelt moments of his career.
www.everythingjazz.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:07 PM
"An anomaly in Coltrane’s Impulse catalog, Ballads was the Impulse album that took him the longest to realize, taking nearly a year to finally complete it. [And] it would mark the last time Coltrane would explicitly play in this classical jazz style. " www.everythingjazz.com/story/john-c...
Fink-182
Was this very mid-2000s emo person press-ganged into ICE servitude?
February 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Fink-182
💫
February 5, 2026 at 5:35 PM
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Latest Substack post about some deep listening out in Ridgewood this past weekend feeling "that sweet, fleeting state of pure unknowing": andybeta.substack.com/p/planetariu...
Planetarium Year 3
Deep listening in deep Ridgewood and knowing that state of pure unknowing
andybeta.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Latest Substack post about some deep listening out in Ridgewood this past weekend feeling "that sweet, fleeting state of pure unknowing": andybeta.substack.com/p/planetariu...
Reposted by Andy Beta
We’ve been eagerly racing through the proof pages of Andy Beta’s Cosmic Music: The Life, Art & Transcendence of Alice Coltrane
If you’ve wandered into our shop on a Sunday morning, there’s a good chance you’ve heard either Journey in Satchidananda or World Spiritual Classics: Volume I on the stereo
If you’ve wandered into our shop on a Sunday morning, there’s a good chance you’ve heard either Journey in Satchidananda or World Spiritual Classics: Volume I on the stereo
February 2, 2026 at 9:28 AM
We’ve been eagerly racing through the proof pages of Andy Beta’s Cosmic Music: The Life, Art & Transcendence of Alice Coltrane
If you’ve wandered into our shop on a Sunday morning, there’s a good chance you’ve heard either Journey in Satchidananda or World Spiritual Classics: Volume I on the stereo
If you’ve wandered into our shop on a Sunday morning, there’s a good chance you’ve heard either Journey in Satchidananda or World Spiritual Classics: Volume I on the stereo
😔
drag, the upcoming أحمد [AHMED] shows in brooklyn got cancelled (with no mention of rescheduling). www.fouroneoneprojects.org/events/ahmed
![CANCELLED: 127
[AHMED] IN RESIDENCE
February 19, 2026-February 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM
ShapeShifter
837 Union St.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
We're sorry to share disappointing news with the
many fans of daal [Ahmed]: due to unexpected
circumstances, the band members are unable to
travel to the U.S. this February. All tickets
purchased for these performances will be fully
refunded. We and the band are deeply grateful for
the enthusiasm and support shown for these
shows, and we share in your disappointment. We
hope you'll join us for other upcoming programs
in 2026, and we look forward to welcoming you
then.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fqx46md74csov2hoaspit3o3/bafkreibgzvarspshckowv6xizv7w2oondsrhxrz4jk3ln6f5w7nvh4qwme@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 6:09 PM
😔
Reposted by Andy Beta
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
God reunites world's greatest rhythm section ✨
January 26, 2026 at 5:42 PM
God reunites world's greatest rhythm section ✨
Reposted by Andy Beta
Reposted by Andy Beta
Just shared this one Facebook, because I had to get the words out. Sharing here in case its in any way useful to you.
January 21, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Just shared this one Facebook, because I had to get the words out. Sharing here in case its in any way useful to you.
Legend “magically crossed over all national and racial boundaries with a pluralist vision of ‘one love’ that legitimated the national narrative of a multicultural America.” Massive dive by @ericdharvey.com
I wrote many words about the greatest hits compilation Legend by Bob Marley
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Legend
Read Eric Harvey’s review of the album
pitchfork.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Legend “magically crossed over all national and racial boundaries with a pluralist vision of ‘one love’ that legitimated the national narrative of a multicultural America.” Massive dive by @ericdharvey.com
Book Announcement: On March 3rd, Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane will be out in the world. Pre-order at your local bookstore, directly from Hachette, or that other website that sells books: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
Cosmic Music
The first full-length biography of Alice Coltrane, the jazz musician and spiritual leader whose forward-thinking music was overshadowed by her more famous hu...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Book Announcement: On March 3rd, Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane will be out in the world. Pre-order at your local bookstore, directly from Hachette, or that other website that sells books: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
Nineteen years ago today, Alice Coltrane/ Swamini Turiyasangitananda left this world. Yet her music continues to resonate and grow: andybeta.substack.com/p/cosmic-mus...
Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane
Swamini left us nineteen years ago, yet her legacy continues to grow
andybeta.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Nineteen years ago today, Alice Coltrane/ Swamini Turiyasangitananda left this world. Yet her music continues to resonate and grow: andybeta.substack.com/p/cosmic-mus...
Reposted by Andy Beta
A reminder of some of the new books we’ve announced we’ll be publishing in the first few months of 2026. Still more to come (keep an eye out), as well as some of our existing favourites moving into paperback, so there’s plenty to look forward to…
January 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
A reminder of some of the new books we’ve announced we’ll be publishing in the first few months of 2026. Still more to come (keep an eye out), as well as some of our existing favourites moving into paperback, so there’s plenty to look forward to…
"I don’t really see a great deal of difference between my recent work and my ‘80s stuff. Some 30-40 years on I’m obviously a different person, but the musical preoccupations remain much the same.” Robert Haigh on his @unseenworlds.com trilogy of sublime piano music: open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
Robert Haigh
A conversation with the minimalist composer/ hardcore DnB pioneer on crafting ideal piano music for the bleakest part of winter
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:17 PM
"I don’t really see a great deal of difference between my recent work and my ‘80s stuff. Some 30-40 years on I’m obviously a different person, but the musical preoccupations remain much the same.” Robert Haigh on his @unseenworlds.com trilogy of sublime piano music: open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
"Hopefully what I’m doing is inspiring people and healing some people. You know maybe they are healed by what they hear."
A conversation with Amina Claudine Myers and the album that imparted some solace in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
A conversation with Amina Claudine Myers and the album that imparted some solace in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
Amina Claudine Myers
An interview with the AACM alumni on playing in the church, having the Holy Spirit enter the room, performing a play without dialogue, and going to the source.
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"Hopefully what I’m doing is inspiring people and healing some people. You know maybe they are healed by what they hear."
A conversation with Amina Claudine Myers and the album that imparted some solace in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
A conversation with Amina Claudine Myers and the album that imparted some solace in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/andybeta...
A total legend. Got to chat with Toni a few years back when working on a story about Bruce Conner and she had tales for days:
Had a great time talking to TONI BASIL - who's done everything worked with everyone: Elvis, the Rat Pack, Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner, Talking Heads, Devo, the Lockers - and had a hit of her own of course - she's been places!
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The magical life of Toni Basil: how she taught Elvis, enchanted Bowie - and had a smash hit with ‘Mickey’
The woman Quentin Tarantino called ‘the goddess of go-go’ is one of the most connected and accomplished in Hollywood. At 82, she recalls working with Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, David By...
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
A total legend. Got to chat with Toni a few years back when working on a story about Bruce Conner and she had tales for days:
Wowowow, the only known footage of The Blue Notes (at Ronnie Scott's) in The Real McGregor, capturing how the exiled Apartheid SA band energized the London jazz scene: youtu.be/TC0CoqSDV8U?...
The Real McGregor (2025 Restoration)
YouTube video by Ogun Records
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Wowowow, the only known footage of The Blue Notes (at Ronnie Scott's) in The Real McGregor, capturing how the exiled Apartheid SA band energized the London jazz scene: youtu.be/TC0CoqSDV8U?...
Beyond that imaginary Lot Radio set, a few more #BandcampFriday recommendations for the fiends...
December 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Beyond that imaginary Lot Radio set, a few more #BandcampFriday recommendations for the fiends...
Due to the holiday, my last set of the year for The Lot Radio didn't happen, so I posted an imaginary iteration of it for the Stack: andybeta.substack.com/p/the-lot-fo...
I will now use it as a roadmap for the last Bandcamp Friday of 2025...
I will now use it as a roadmap for the last Bandcamp Friday of 2025...
The Lot for November (an imaginary set)
Thin Air of The Night Before That Was a Dream
andybeta.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Due to the holiday, my last set of the year for The Lot Radio didn't happen, so I posted an imaginary iteration of it for the Stack: andybeta.substack.com/p/the-lot-fo...
I will now use it as a roadmap for the last Bandcamp Friday of 2025...
I will now use it as a roadmap for the last Bandcamp Friday of 2025...
Reposted by Andy Beta
Announcing a very long-overdue definitive biography of a music and spiritual visionary…
COSMIC MUSIC: The Life, Art and Transcendence of ALICE COLTRANE by @andybeta.bsky.social
Coming 19 March 2026: geni.us/CosmicMusic
COSMIC MUSIC: The Life, Art and Transcendence of ALICE COLTRANE by @andybeta.bsky.social
Coming 19 March 2026: geni.us/CosmicMusic
December 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Announcing a very long-overdue definitive biography of a music and spiritual visionary…
COSMIC MUSIC: The Life, Art and Transcendence of ALICE COLTRANE by @andybeta.bsky.social
Coming 19 March 2026: geni.us/CosmicMusic
COSMIC MUSIC: The Life, Art and Transcendence of ALICE COLTRANE by @andybeta.bsky.social
Coming 19 March 2026: geni.us/CosmicMusic
Reposted by Andy Beta
WFMU's legendary DJ Jeff Sarge has announced that the last episode of his Reggae Schoolroom radio show on WFMU will be this Sunday, November 30th. Join Jeff to show your appreciation for this outstanding 41-year run!
November 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
WFMU's legendary DJ Jeff Sarge has announced that the last episode of his Reggae Schoolroom radio show on WFMU will be this Sunday, November 30th. Join Jeff to show your appreciation for this outstanding 41-year run!
Since I just received an email that "We Are the World” Returns for Its 40th Anniversary," a rough guide to the "real" sound of Africa in the 1980s, full of ancient instruments in dialogue with DX-7s, multi-track studios, and boogieing drum machines: theshfl.com/guide/80s-Af...
1980s African Music
Read Andy Beta on 1980s African Music
theshfl.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Since I just received an email that "We Are the World” Returns for Its 40th Anniversary," a rough guide to the "real" sound of Africa in the 1980s, full of ancient instruments in dialogue with DX-7s, multi-track studios, and boogieing drum machines: theshfl.com/guide/80s-Af...
A movie that takes place where you are from.
November 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A movie that takes place where you are from.