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Featured Work

Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached, 1957-1965 will be released this June on New Land Records. This remarkable collection, which includes impassioned and deeply researched liner notes by journalist Shannon J. Effinger, provide historical context to Dorothy’s life, offering the most in-depth piece of writing ever committed to print on Dorothy, as well as interviews with those who knew her best.

About Shannon

Shannon Ali (Shannon J. Effinger) has been a freelance arts journalist and cultural critic for over a decade. Her writing on all things jazz and music regularly appears in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR Music, Pitchfork, Bandcamp, EBONY, Jazziz, Jazzwise, and Downbeat, among others.

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Writing by Shannon

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Herbie Hancock

New York Times | May 3, 2023

Shannon J. Effinger

Jazz Wunderkind Samara Joy Is Primed for Greatness

W Magazine | February 2, 2023

by Shannon J. Effinger

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Ornette Coleman

New York Times | November 2, 2022

Mal Waldron, sideman to jazz greats, gets a solo retrospective

The Washington Post | September 30, 2022

By Shannon J. Effinger

Somi pays tribute to Miriam Makeba, on album and on stage

The Washington Post | May 19, 2022

By Shannon J. Effinger

Reflecting on the wisdom of our jazz elders

NPR | December 21, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

Melanie Charles knows the impact Black women have had on jazz

The Washington Post | November 12, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

Lee Morgan’s ‘Live at the Lighthouse’ was a masterpiece that turned out to be a farewell

The Washington Post | August 27, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

The continued impact of jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove

The Washington Post | July 16, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger