Alert the media: I am retiring as a jazz critic. The reasons are varied, but basically it comes down to the fact that I want to be a player (and listener) full-time, without the encumbrances that accompany being a musician-slash-critic.

Being a critic was fun; I learned a lot about myself, about the nature of art in general and jazz in particular. I enjoyed participating in the discourse, and the opportunity to hear a lot of interesting music I might not have otherwise. The time has come, however, to put down my pen.

So now I can halve my self-description. I might continue to write—about jazz and other things—but I am a "Musician/Critic" no more. I am now, simply, what I always wanted to be: a musician. Even better: a jazz musician. It feels so good.

Thanks, and best wishes.