By: Brian Berger

Her empathetic brilliance is too often overlooked.

By: Brian Berger

He wanted to destroy “the whole — how would you explain it — that exists.”

By: Brian Berger

“It’s worthwhile knowing that Homer could nod.”

By: Brian Berger

The high-life of the composer of “Molly On The Shore.”

By: Brian Berger

Her energy, wit and lithe sexuality made her a star.

By: Brian Berger

He was fluent in all jazz and classical idioms.

By: Brian Berger

The irrepress­ible embod­iment of America’s racial ambi­guities

By: Brian Berger

He made paradoxic human music of despair.

By: Brian Berger

A critic indifferent to current pressures and public opinion

By: Brian Berger

Spare, coiled works of un­settling philosoph­ical rigor

By: Brian Berger

Her dramatic potential was revealed in literary adaptations.

By: Brian Berger

Unknown until word of his devotion to conjunto spread.

By: Brian Berger

He played unique variations on the art-life dialectic.

By: Brian Berger

An inspired, slurry vocalist of darkness and wit.

By: Brian Berger

From his 1956 debut album onward, his sound was unique.