Columnist and Critic Nat Hentoff Has Died

Columnist and Critic Nat Hentoff Has Died

Nat Hentoff—the renowned critic, columnist, and activist—has died at age 91, the Associated Press reports. Hentoff regularly contributed to publications including the Wall Street Journal and the Village Voice, where he worked for 50 years. His columns focussed on American politics—particularly issues related to the First Amendment—and music.

An early admirer of Bob Dylan, Hentoff wrote the liner notes for Dylan’s second album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. His writing also appeared along with records by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Max Roach, and others. Hentoff authored over 20 books, many of which were about jazz. In 2004, he became the first non-musician to be named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of the Arts. A documentary about his life, The Pleasures of Being Out of Step: Notes on the Life of Nat Hentoff, was released in 2014.

Watch the trailer for The Pleasures of Being Out of Step:

Watch an interview with Nat Hentoff for FIRE:

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