Responding to questions from mevthem :

1) Who are three authors that inspire you?

Raymond Carver, Dawn Powell, Paul Auster
 
2) Is there a good biography on Duke Ellington? (You know, like the same quality Hajdu put into the Strayhorn book)

I’ve read several BAD ones, but I’ve heard that Beyond Category is very good. haven’t read that one though. Avoid the James Lincoln Collier bio: he’s very condescending.

3) What’s been the song of the summer, so far?

Hands down thus far it’s been “Poinciana” by the Ahmad Jamal Trio from Live at the Pershing Lounge, Chicago, 1958. Can’t get enough of it. I think I’ve been listening to it at least once a day.