Shanta Nurullah

I first met Nicole in 1992 when musician friend Maia and I came together to jam at my house. Niki, as she was known then, had attracted Maia’s attention as a busker on an ‘L’ platform or tunnel. She…

We will not be silent.

We have voice.

We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

https://too-many.org

This morning I opened the Alice Coltrane folder from my earlier research on musical women. I was reminded that, from 1974 to 1979, we exchanged letters (and one telegram). As I planned my California interviews, I inquired about her upcoming…

Writing this blog is reminding me of how important music has always been in my life.  It's also showing me what  strong and lasting impressions live music has made on me.

One group that I have seen more than…

I spent the better part of today with my co-workers - Wiggleworms teachers at the Old Town School of Folk Music. There were over twenty women and six men  Eleven months a year, seven days a week, we share our…

When I was growing up my mother was a member of both the Capitol and Columbia record clubs. A booklet would come by mail. You would make your selection. And, if you didn't do that in a timely manner, you…

When I have moments of defeat, of thinking that I am too old to continue pursuing my dreams, I remember Elizabeth Cotten. Here's an article I wrote, some years after interviewing her at her home in Washington, DC. It appeared…

Within the past two years I've known three stroke victims to be abruptly discharged from rehab centers because their insurance no longer covered their rehabilitation. They, and their supporters, have been left to piece together plans for their care and…

I am a Macy Gray fan. And fandom is an emotional state. It's an unexplainable connection. It is not politically correct. It is crazy. It is sensual. It is LOVE. I love Macy Gray.

My first most favorite Macy…

Mary Lou Williams was a pianist, arranger and composer who lived and played through several decades of jazz. As the music evolved and changed, so did her playing. A child prodigy and  primarily self-taught, Mary Lou was considered professionally competent…

At the stroke of midnight, we were listening to the music of jazz violinist Regina Carter. We went through the five albums in my iTunes library: Something for Grace (1997); Rhythms of the Heart (1999); Motor City Moments (2000); Freefall…

Two nights ago I played with Ben Lamar Gay at Chicago's Hideout Inn. It was the last Tuesday night of Ben's December residency at this legendary venue. The first improvised set had Ben on cornet, voice and synth, Mikel Patrick…