Writing for The Newark Star-Ledger
In the summer of 2010, Jay Lustig offered me my first writing gig, to cover jazz for my then-hometown newspaper, The Newark Star-Ledger. I relished the opportunity and published regularly there, covering the "jazz beat" for about a year before I decided to leave for a PhD program in faraway Los Angeles. By then, the writing was already on the wall for the newspaper industry and as much as I loved the work, I knew that it wouldn't sustain a professional career. Still, I have fond memories of this time and am proud of the writing that came out of it, which can still be read online:
All-Star Newark Arkestra kicks off this weekend’s Lincoln Park Music Festival
NOAH ADDIS/THE STAR-LEDGERCarrie Jackson will sing with the Jazz All-Star Newark Arkestra in Newark’s Lincoln Park on Friday. Above, Jackson at her home in Irvington By Alex W. Rodriguez/For The Star-Ledger Inspired by Newark’s under-appreciated jazz legacy, the newly formed...
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Heath Brothers present spirited show at Newark Museum
Steve Hockstein/For The Star-Ledger6 Saxophonist Jimmy Heath and brother Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums perform with pianist Jeb Patton and bassist David Wong at the Newark Museum’s Jazz In The Garden concert series on Thursday afternoon. By Alex W. Rodriguez...
Star-Ledger Guest Columnist
Louis Armstrong is the subject the old-fashioned film ‘Louis the Movie’
Film will be screened with live accompaniment by Cecile Licad and Wynton Marsalis.
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
McGuinness’ big band wows Blue Note
Lisa Kyle/For The Star-LedgerNew Jersey City University faculty member Pete McGuinness performs with his big band, Monday night at the Blue Note in New York. By Alex W. Rodriguez/For The Star-Ledger Even if you haven’t heard of them, you’ve probably...
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
‘The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis’ preview: Orchestra expands its sound via once-in-a-lifetime trip
From Lincoln Center to Cuba
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Pat Metheny makes a new kind of music, with his orchestrion
New York concert provides playful experience
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Innovative Jazz Passengers preview reunion album with a playful concert
John Munson/The Star-LedgerThe inventive septet the Jazz Passengers (from left, Curtis Fowlkes, Roy Nathanson, Bill Ware, Brad Jones, Sam Bardfeld, Marc Ribot and E.J. Rodriguez) present a reunion show Tuesday night in New York. By Alex W. Rodriguez For The...
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Saxophonist Wayne Shorter still searching for new sounds
Will perform at Town Hall in New York on Feb. 9
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
‘Randy Weston’s African Rhythms’ preview: Jazz pianist finds inspiration in the music of Africa
Where it all began
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Kenny G is musically predictable, but reliably entertaining
Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerSmooth-jazz saxophonist Kenny G presented a crowd-pleasing show at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Friday night. By Alex W. Rodriguez/For The Star-Ledger Within months of discovering jazz, most young musicians are taught to hate Kenny G....
Entertainment Desk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com