The Dialectical Opposition of Creativity And Intellectual Property

This is not the first time that I have launched an attack on how the very concept of “intellectual property” has corrupted not only our language but our very way of thinking, particularly when creativity is involved. Nor is it the first...

Remembering Bird

Without in any way trying to detract from the memory of Michael Jackson, it is also important to bear in mind that serious jazz listeners remember today as the birthday of Charlie (“Bird”) Parker. Our “local” (scare quotes...

Keeping Good Company

I have a trumpet-playing friend who has not been shy about informing me of his dislike for Miles Davis. This has not impeded our conversations; but it does lead me to reflect, from time to time, over whether or not he has some good points to make....

In Jazz Improv, Large Portion of Brain’s Prefrontal Region ‘takes 5′ to Let Creativity Flow

When John Coltrane was expanding the boundaries of the well-known song “My Favorite Things” at the Village Vanguard in May 1966, no one could have known what inspired him to take the musical turns he took. But imaging researchers may now have...