Jordan Kessler

A Chicago native, Jordan Kessler has worked in the non-profit arena for 25 years, including helping to launch the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. He lives in New York City, where he was a long-time host on WKCR 89.9 FM and event DJ, performing live with multiple Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
Telling His Story: An Interview with Bernie Taupin  

Telling His Story: An Interview with Bernie Taupin  

Bernie Taupin, legendary songwriting partner of Elton John, reveals all in a new book detailing his creative partnership, hatred of touring, and love of cowboys.

Living Colour’s Time’s Up Isn’t Over

Living Colour’s Time’s Up Isn’t Over

Rock-loving professor Kimberly Mack spends some time with Living Colour’s Time’s Up, giving the album and the band well-deserved attention and appreciation.

Lou Reed on Illness and Death: Revisiting ‘Magic and Loss’

Lou Reed on Illness and Death: Revisiting ‘Magic and Loss’

Lou Reed most dramatically stepped off rock’s beaten path when he recorded an entire record about death by illness, Magic and Loss, 31 years ago.

A Hero’s Homecoming: Jon Batiste Steals the Show at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

A Hero’s Homecoming: Jon Batiste Steals the Show at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

A show with this many moving pieces could easily have devolved into chaos, but in Jon Batiste’s hands, it was a wonderfully diverse, talented vision of what America can be at its best.

Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest

Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest

Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste bring the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest to a rousing conclusion.

Living Colour’s ‘Vivid’ Turns 35: An Interview with Vernon Reid

Living Colour’s ‘Vivid’ Turns 35: An Interview with Vernon Reid

What better way to celebrate Living Colour’s landmark album Vivid on its 35th birthday than talking to the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, Vernon Reid.

New Orleans Jazz Fest Returns For Its Second Post-Pandemic Run

New Orleans Jazz Fest Returns For Its Second Post-Pandemic Run

This year’s Jazz Fest will feature Dead & Company, Tedeschi Trucks, Buddy Guy, Jon Batiste, Steve Miller, Wu-Tang Clan, Irma Thomas, and more great artists.

Iggy Pop Is in a Frenzy on ‘Every Loser’

Iggy Pop Is in a Frenzy on ‘Every Loser’

After more than 35 minutes of masterful music on Every Loser, does Iggy Pop seem to be a winner, a loser, or somewhere between the two? He is true to himself.

The Crowning Glory of Chicago’s Blues King Muddy Waters

The Crowning Glory of Chicago’s Blues King Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters’ Hard Again is his best studio album. It’s a glowing monument to him and to what electric Chicago blues can be at its very best.

Through the Eye of a Needle: The Unlikely Success of Son House’s ‘Father of Folk Blues’

Through the Eye of a Needle: The Unlikely Success of Son House’s ‘Father of Folk Blues’

Son House is the most important Delta blues rediscovery of the 1960s, and his Father of Folk Blues LP is the best blues rediscovery studio album.

Parliament’s Peak: ‘Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome’ Turns 45

Parliament’s Peak: ‘Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome’ Turns 45

The climactic album in Parliament’s space opera about Starchild, Dr. Funkenstein, and Sir Nose d’Voidoffunk, Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, remains their best work.

Pushin’ a Rock: Catching Up with John Oates of Hall & Oates

Pushin’ a Rock: Catching Up with John Oates of Hall & Oates

John Oates of Hall & Oates talks about “Pushin’ a Rock” and his other new music, men’s health charity work with Movember, and the film Gringa