Patrick Ambrose

TMN Contributing Writer Patrick Ambrose is a journalist who lives in Brooklyn. His fiction has appeared in Timber Creek Review and Mysterical-e.

Dianne Reeves

She started singing jazz in junior high school but nowadays Dianne Reeves draws a more refined audience. PATRICK AMBROSE talks with her about meeting a legend, experimenting with styles, and finding her own voice. (Profiles | November 13, 2007)

Cassandra Wilson, Impromptu

For singer Cassandra Wilson, some of the best music is composed on the fly, and if the entire performance is last-minute, so much the better. PATRICK AMBROSE watches it all come together. (Profiles | July 3, 2007)

Jazz Lessons With James “Blood” Ulmer

Growing up in a family that requires Saturday night recitals is a crash course in how to please a crowd. PATRICK AMBROSE talks with guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer about a lifetime of commanding performances. (Profiles | June 11, 2007)

Cecil Taylor Explains It All

Pianist Cecil Taylor stormed onto the New York City club scene in the 1950s, shaking the foundations of modern music with what would become known as free jazz. PATRICK AMBROSE has a cup of tea with the master. (Profiles | April 10, 2007)

Moody’s Mood for Bop

Jazz saxophone legend James Moody talks with PATRICK AMBROSE about how racism shaped his early career, what a “hot flute” can do for a repertoire, and encouraging budding musicians. (Profiles | February 14, 2007)

Around the City With Eliane Elias

Experienced musicians sometimes find it tempting to stick with already-established styles in their later albums. Jazz pianist Eliane Elias talks with PATRICK AMBROSE about breaking the mold. (Profiles | November 27, 2006)

The Vanishing Date

Halloween: time for stories of headless horsemen, escaped psychos with hooks for hands, and ghosts other than the white-sheet variety. But the same stories year after year can get a little dull. THE WRITERS retell a scary tale. (Spoofs & Satire | October 31, 2006)

The New Boss of Bossa Nova

Bossa nova was developed more than 40 years ago in Brazil, but one of its most lively contributors is working today in Brooklyn. PATRICK AMBROSE chats with Vinicius Cantuária about his music, how it’s changed, and what inspires him. (Profiles | October 12, 2006)

Ahí Vamos: The Rock of Gustavo Cerati

Argentina’s Soda Stereo may have lost its pop about 10 years ago, but since then guitarist Gustavo Cerati has proved his skills as a soloist many times over, leaving an indelible mark on rock en español. A conversation with PATRICK AMBROSE. (Profiles | August 28, 2006)

Divino, Maravilhoso: The Splendor of Gal Costa

After 40 years in music, how’s a singer keep things interesting? PATRICK AMBROSE chats with Brazil’s treasure, Gal Costa, about how things change, and how they stay the same. (Profiles | July 12, 2006)

One Day in New York City

June 1 dawned humid and hot. The forecast: A high of 84 degrees and possible late-day thunderstorms west of town. But forecasts—for the temperature or for a busy day of work and play—aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. A day in the life of THE WRITERS. (New York, New York | June 14, 2006)

Stephen Wright’s Literary Landscape

UFO freaks, plant-loving vets, and science-minded slave owners people Stephen Wright’s novels. Maybe a little off the wall? Maybe not. PATRICK AMBROSE talks with the writer about his books and their reflections of the human condition. (Interviews | June 7, 2006)

A Word of Advice

‘Tis the season of graduation ceremonies, when many will be told it’s the first day of the rest of their lives. THE WRITERS disagree, and offer the ultimate commencement speech. (Spoofs & Satire | May 4, 2006)

For March 2006

A new month of what THE WRITERS have been watching, reading, eating, drinking, hearing, and enjoying. (Of Recent Note | March 29, 2006)

Andres Levin’s Musical Playground

When musician and producer Andres Levin plays with sound, he doesn’t only create music, he fuses cultures. PATRICK AMBROSE interviews a man whose schedule you wouldn’t want. (Profiles | March 3, 2006)

For February 2006

What THE WRITERS have been enjoying, watching, reading, hearing, eating, viewing, and digesting for the past 28 days. (Of Recent Note | February 28, 2006)

Bill Laswell’s Method of Defiance

Acclaimed bassist Bill Laswell has his own way of making music, and these days it involves some serious drum and bass. One performance, and a life’s work. PATRICK AMBROSE writes. (Profiles | December 20, 2005)

A Path of Destruction

Since 1980, the Shining Path guerrillas in Peru have been responsible for over 30,000 deaths. So why, now that the organization is effectively dismantled, are the seeds for revolution still being planted? (Profiles | November 17, 2005)

Elliott Sharp’s Instrumental Vision

What happens when traditional instruments won’t produce the sound the composer wants? Then new instruments have to be invented. A discussion about deconstructing, reconstructing, and ways to break the barriers of sound. (Interviews | October 4, 2005)

For the Music

For 30 years John Zorn has been influencing the downtown music culture, and with the opening of his new venue he’s doing something few club owners would think—or want—to do: Making music to make music, not money. PATRICK AMBROSE writes. (New York, New York | August 2, 2005)

Personagem: Talking With Arto Lindsay

After 30 years of making some of the Western Hemisphere’s most adventurous music, you’d think a guy could take some time off. Patrick Ambrose talks with the ex-DNA leader about art, music, and the origins of his unique guitar style. (Personalities | June 9, 2005)

Revolution Rock

If rock music used to have a message, then rarely was that message stronger than for South American revolutionaries, for whom it was a significant part of the struggle. Patrick Ambrose traces a history of social uprising, and explains how the music helped fuel it. (Personalities | December 13, 2004)

Forever Changing

Arthur Lee—songwriter, social critic, and leader of ’60s rock band Love—is finally back after an extended absence. Patrick Ambrose witnesses Lee and his newly re-formed band play their classic album, Forever Changes, in concert and talks to him about what it meant then and still means today. (Personalities | October 21, 2004)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

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