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American Music Is Nat Hentoff

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American Music Is

by Nat Hentoff

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Language	:	English
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Nat Hentoff was an American music critic, jazz historian, and author. He was a leading voice in jazz criticism for over 50 years, and his writing helped to shape the way that jazz is understood and appreciated.

Hentoff was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1925. He began writing about jazz in the early 1950s, and his first book, The Jazz Life, was published in 1961. Over the course of his career, Hentoff wrote more than 20 books on jazz, including Hear Me Talkin' to Ya (1955),The Bird (1982),and Liner Notes (1996).

Hentoff's writing was known for its intelligence, wit, and passion. He was a strong advocate for jazz as a serious art form, and he was always willing to speak out against injustice and oppression. Hentoff's writing helped to bring jazz to a wider audience, and he played a major role in shaping the way that jazz is understood and appreciated today.

Hentoff's Early Life and Career

Nat Hentoff was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 10, 1925. His father was a Russian immigrant who worked as a tailor, and his mother was a Lithuanian immigrant who worked as a seamstress. Hentoff grew up in a working-class neighborhood, and he was exposed to jazz at an early age.

Hentoff began writing about jazz in the early 1950s. He wrote for a variety of publications, including DownBeat, Metronome, and The New York Times. In 1961, Hentoff published his first book, The Jazz Life. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Hentoff as a leading voice in jazz criticism.

Hentoff's Writing

Hentoff's writing was known for its intelligence, wit, and passion. He was a strong advocate for jazz as a serious art form, and he was always willing to speak out against injustice and oppression.

Hentoff's writing covered a wide range of topics, including jazz history, jazz musicians, and the social and political issues that affected jazz. He was a particularly strong advocate for free jazz, and he was one of the first critics to recognize the importance of Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and other avant-garde jazz musicians.

Hentoff's writing was also notable for its humor and wit. He was a master of the one-liner, and he was always able to find the absurdity in even the most serious situations.

Hentoff's Legacy

Nat Hentoff died in New York City on January 19, 2017. He was 91 years old.

Hentoff was one of the most important jazz critics of the 20th century. His writing helped to shape the way that jazz is understood and appreciated, and he played a major role in bringing jazz to a wider audience. Hentoff's legacy will continue to inspire and inform jazz fans for generations to come.