Author | Lightnews

David Brent Johnson

@davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social

880 followers 610 following 300 posts

WFIU-Bloomington, IN jazz director, host of the thematic historical jazz program Night Lights (wfiu.org/nightlights). Writer when I write.

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Dec 4

Here’s a jazz starter pack, with a V. 2 to follow as more artists, media outlets, writers, fans and others continue to fly the Bluesky way (suggestions welcome in the comments). #Jazzsky

go.bsky.app/5cak61Z

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · 1d

An expanded version of Nina Simone’s final album A Single Woman (1993) out next week. I’ve actually never heard it before & will pick this up because well, it’s Nina Simone, and because it’s from the wilderness years of her discography.

Deluxe version of Nina Simone's final studio album coming

September 23, 2025: Today, Omnivore Recordings announced A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Recordings, the definitive version of Nina Simone’s final studio album, out November 7 on CD and Double-LP...

soultracks.com

Reposted by David Brent Johnson

Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · 4d

A few more thoughts about Jack DeJohnette, who left us this week (but is still with us in many ways)

For Jack DeJohnette

Tributes and tributaries, on the passing of a titan

open.substack.com

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Reposted by David Brent Johnson

Ethan Iverson @ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social · 4d

For DeJohnette
iverson.substack.com/p/tt-555-jac...

TT 555: Jack DeJohnette

The drumming great has passed away at 83

iverson.substack.com

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · 5d

A sad start to the week.

Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · 5d

Jack DeJohnette, just one of the deepest musicians ever, and a personal hero. Here is my obituary for NPR Music.

Jack DeJohnette, dynamic and instantly recognizable jazz drummer, dies at 83

Jack DeJohnette, of the most daring and singular jazz drummers of the last 60 years, died on Sunday.

www.npr.org

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · 29d

In honor of jazz promoter & pianist George Wein, we’re re-airing “Jazz From Storyville” this week, w/commentary from Boston jazz historian Richard Vacca & live performances by Charlie Parker, Chet Baker and others.

Jazz From Storyville

Throughout the 1950s jazz promoter George Wein ran a Boston nightclub that showcased some of the music’s most notable performers.

www.ipm.org

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Reposted by David Brent Johnson

Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · Oct 3

Happy 100 to a real one. I loved this man, and whether you know it or not, you love the musical reality he helped bring into being.

George Wein at 100

To a mentor, and a memory (one of many)

open.substack.com

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 28

R.I.P. to pianist Jim McNeely, one of the preeminent composers of his generation.
#JimMcNeely

Jim McNeely | Pianist, Composer

Jim McNeely was born in Chicago into a musical family. He started piano lessons at the age of six. When he was eight he started lessons with Bruno Michelotti, who taught him basic music theory as well...

jim-mcneely.com

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 24

The winds of musical & cultural change were blowing through the 1966 Monterey Jazz Festival. We'll hear background stories & live performances from Don Ellis, Charles Lloyd w/a young Keith Jarrett & Jack DeJohnette, Randy Weston, Joe Henderson, Cannonball Adderley, & Bola Sete.
#MontereyJazzFestival

Jazz From Monterey: 1966

By 1966 the Monterey Jazz Festival was an established institution—but the decade’s winds of change were already starting to blow from the festival’s stage.

www.ipm.org

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 23

One for John Coltrane on the 99th anniversary of his birth.
#JohnColtrane

Trane '62: The Classic Coltrane Quartet Begins

In 1962 John Coltrane collaborated with Duke Ellington, recorded an all-ballads LP, and established the group now known as the Classic Quartet.

www.ipm.org

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 21

Ahead of this year's Monterey Jazz Festival, a look back at some early ones starting with 1963, which featured the festival debuts of Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk, a swan song from Jack Teagarden, a Modern Jazz Quartet homage to MLK, & Dizzy Gillespie's presidential campaign. #MontereyJazzFestival

Jazz From Monterey, 1963: Dizzy For President!

Though it received middling reviews, the 1963 concert series included the festival debuts of Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, the rollout of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Dizzy For President” campaign, one of ja...

www.ipm.org

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 20

We are vibing the same vibe this weekend, my friend!

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 20

Listening to the latest entry in Jazzman’s outstanding spiritual jazz series, now up to 18 volumes. #spiritualjazz

Various Artists - Spiritual Jazz 18: Behind The Iron Curtain - Part 1 - Jazzman 2LP

Spiritual Jazz 18: Behind The Iron Curtain - Part 1 by Various Artists. DUE LATE OCTOBER 2023 Many artists achieve greatness but very few produce work that is so moving it's considered sacred

jazzmanrecords.co.uk

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 19

Yes!! ❤️ Has there been any reissue of the Roots and Folklore series in recent years, either on LP or CD?

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 15

Fascinating article. I read Ellman's Joyce biography many years ago and will put this on my to-read list. Much appreciation for all that you publish, LRB.

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 14

Duke Ellington on my mind this weekend. The 1943 debut of his Black, Brown and Beige suite at Carnegie Hall includes a beautiful feature for saxophonist Johnny Hodges on “Come Sunday.” To quote the Duke himself, “We, too, sing America.”

Come Sunday (Live)

YouTube video by Duke Ellington - Topic

www.youtube.com

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 14

Also why I haven’t given up my CDs.

The New Yorker @newyorker.com · Sep 13

@tnyfrontrow.bsky.social reflects on why DVD owners shouldn’t throw away their collections just yet.

What We Lose When Streaming Companies Choose What We Watch

Maybe don’t throw away all your DVDs just yet.

www.newyorker.com

Reposted by David Brent Johnson

NPR @npr.org · Sep 13

Herb Alpert got his start playing trumpet in L.A.'s public schools. He wants to help make that "magic" possible for students.

This shop fixes student instruments for free. Now, a music legend is chipping in

Herb Alpert got his start playing trumpet in L.A.'s public schools. He wants to help make that "magic" possible for students.

n.pr

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 13

This weekend WFIU is re-airing my 2004 documentary about Duke Ellington’s 1941 musical revue Jump For Joy, in celebration of the station’s 75th anniversary. Jump For Joy satirized Hollywood’s treatment of race & drew many famous artists into its orbit. You can listen on demand & read more here.

Jump For Joy: Duke Ellington's Celebratory Musical

The inspiration came from a late-night party, a convergence of Hollywood glamour and early civil-rights activism with one of America's greatest jazz orchestras. In the summer of 1941, as Americans war...

www.ipm.org

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 13

So glad that Mosaic devoted a box set to him. I’m overdue to revisit it.

Reposted by David Brent Johnson

Mark Stryker @markstryker.bsky.social · Sep 9

Happy birthday to one of my greatest heroes, Elvin Jones, b. 9/9/27. Here's Jan Hammer's "Thorn of a White Rose" from one of Elvin's best records as a leader: ELVIN JONES IS ON THE MOUNTAIN (1975). Hammer on keyboards, Gene Perla on bass.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q65x...

Thorn of a White Rose

YouTube video by Elvin Jones - Topic

www.youtube.com

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David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 9

I've been telling friends for the past few months that Document is a stunningly (and sadly) relevant album for our current moment.

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 8

Whoa, I never realized that. Just bought the recent reissue with Nate Chinen’s notes, but haven’t cracked it open yet. You’ve helped set my playlist for tonight!

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 2

The worship of guns designed solely to kill large numbers of people, the insistence on this even when it leads to the mass deaths of children & others, is idolatry. And Jesus afawk never killed anybody, though the Bible we have was written & re-written over hundreds of years by many people.

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 2

Well, if you read the Bible and the Constitution in a contextual manner, as your profile states—and I certainly agree with you!—you’re definitely not on the same page as the GOP or far-right evangelism originalism.

David Brent Johnson @davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social · Aug 30

Feeling the need for some Coltrane today. This favorite is one of the last studio recordings made by the Classic Quartet.
#Coltrane #Love

Love - John Coltrane

YouTube video by Willie Ellebie