Irascible, brilliant, challenging, uncompromising,culturally astute,humorous, purposeful, superior intellect, unorthodox sweetness, mentor, griot, an American poet, music, & cultural critic; syndicated columnist, novelist, and biographer, and beloved friend Stanley Crouch is dead

As a young man new to New York, he was a cultural pied piper who challenged my commitment to my art, my understanding of the legacy of the Black experience handed to me for stewardship, and the obligation I had to defining my unique path & contribution to civilization

He was a mythical guru that shepherded me from jazz club to club of NY taking care of a poor student with drink, education in the music, & uplifting my spirit.“What are you working on, Motherfucker?” was his clarion call to step up to an intellectual altar with a point of view

He was a raconteur of the highest order. Obnoxious, cantankerous, and rude with some regularity, but with an intellect that impressed and charmed him back in your good grace. He was loving kind, loyal and devoted in his way.

And what a wordsmith... these posts are my feeble attempt to honor that. He had a way with his writing that was completely authentic to his personality & spirit. For those of you who never met him, read him and you will. He’s Mouse to Easy Rawlins, Monk if he could write. Beloved