ayana contreras

vinyl record/fashion archaeologist. VP of radio @RMPBS, frmr @vocalo/@wbez. writer @DownBeatMag. occasional podcaster @nprmusic. author Energy Never Dies.

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

What a feeling! To have so much of my life’s work in my hands. My first book, Energy Never Dies: Afro-Optimism & Creativity in Chicago is shipping paperbacks now! Hardbacks soon come. https://t.co/Qnh41U8V4V

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

@80sBank The Montclairs.

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

@ItsJustPay Definitely. The true sno-cone machine is dope, but a commercial shaved ice machine is also an option (I swear by it for cocktails). Lasts forever, basically the same price

[Blair Kamin @BlairKamin]

Theaster Gates, Heiji Choy Black to open tea salon and cocktail lounge near Obama Center - Chicago Sun-Times https://t.co/HfIv21iV08

[Noname Book Club @NonameBooks]

Happy Mother’s Day to my foundation. I love you mommy 💗

[Linear Labs @LinearLabs]

Isaac Hayes in the studio at Stax in Memphis, arranging the Memphis Horns for "So I Can Love You" by The Emotions (1969).

Hayes and David Porter produced the record, which was written by a 16-year-old Sheila Hutchinson and went on to hit number 3 on the R&B chart.

[Jazz Is Dead @jazzisdeadco]

"The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson, 1974.

Off Winter in America on Strata-East. Brian Jackson's flute carries this one, a Caribbean groove that became an underground hit and has been sampled over 70 times since.

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

@CoraCHarrington I think in general, the more people understand around what it takes to ethically restore and/or sustain the stuff that fills our days, the more we look at those things differently. The conservation work matters, and the quality inherent in the best old things is a wonderful

[Scott Alves Barton, @senhorokra.bsky.social @MrOkra]

Thérèse Nelson-chef/founder: #BlackCulinaryHistory preserving Black food culture discovered a home in Lewis’s work. “I was deeply looking for a heritage-Ms. Lewis showed me we’re inheriting these dishes and techniques. She was so cleareyed in her POV” https://t.co/iVVfdEYSBP

[Jazz Is Dead @jazzisdeadco]

One of soul's greatest treasures. The legendary Minnie Riperton performing "Inside My Love" on The Midnight Special, 1975.

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

Verrrry Interesting

[Vanessa Friedman @VVFriedman]

Scoop! The Costume Institute has been quietly saving its money from the Met Gala, and soon it will have enough to be self-supporting. Which means.... https://t.co/arx3tafpd0

[Noname Book Club @NonameBooks]

Black Classic Literature: Autobiographies 🍯

[Jazz Is Dead @jazzisdeadco]

Killer of Sheep (1977)

Black working-class life in Watts — quiet, aching, and full of grace. Directed by Charles Burnett.

Screening tonight, April 20 at Semana Jazz Is Dead, Belo Horizonte, Brasil at Centro Cultural Unimed-BH Minas. Details via @mtccultura

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

@danielleamir 💯

[Block Club Chicago @BlockClubCHI]

"Dancing The Revolution: From Dancehall To Reggaetón" celebrates music as protest at MCA. https://t.co/3IaGkuMPA9

[Jazz Is Dead @jazzisdeadco]

Jorge Ben's "Xica da Silva" live in the studio.

From his pivotal record África Brasil (1976)

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

@Acejay63 @fakeshoredrive @ItsTheCons It’s Bobby Rush. Sounds like Chicken Heads

[Chance The Rapper @chancetherapper]

Friendly reminder that it’s arts week in chicago and ofc you can go to Expo at navy pier to see art from around the world BUT ALSO make sure u visit the local galleries and art parties that can expose u to the movements happening here! Do both! I’m finna hit expo now but I’m super excited for the Ernie Barnes doc that Coodie did and is showing around the city! See yall out there art lovers 🖼️

[Memphis Flyer @MemphisFlyer]

His comments weren’t just about a hotel. They reflected a deeper reality about how Memphis is perceived, positioned, and too often overlooked.
https://t.co/OFiH2qtN2X

[ayana contreras @ReclaimedSoul]

Don’t know exactly what this is referring to, @theBreaux, but it’s applicable to so very many things right now…

[Brandon Breaux @theBreaux]

The people that have never developed taste are the only ones who don’t understand it.

It seems like this we are headed toward a future where people have no taste because AI made too many decisions for them.

[Helado Negro @HeladoNegro]

wow love the folks at @KUVOJazz 💛 thank you to @ReclaimedSoul for connecting me. interview coming soon : )