Nathan Irving Hentoff, an illustrious American intellectual of remarkable versatility, entered this world on June 10, 1925, and, after a life well-lived, took his final breath on January 7, 2017. This multifaceted individual, blessed with a profound passion for jazz and country music, wore many hats with distinction, exceling as a historian, novelist, and music critic. His remarkable career, marked by a commitment to sharing his insightful perspectives with a wide audience, saw him serve as a syndicated columnist for United Media, where his thoughtful commentary reached far and wide.
For an astonishing period of over five decades, Nat Hentoff served as a stalwart columnist for the esteemed publication, The Village Voice, a tenure that ultimately came to a close in the year 2009.
Despite his departure from this iconic publication, Hentoff's creative energies did not dissipate, and he instead redirected his focus towards a new and equally distinguished institution, the Cato Institute, where he assumed the role of senior fellow.
Furthermore, Hentoff's association with The Wall Street Journal persisted, and he continued to contribute his insightful music column to this prestigious publication, a testament to his enduring passion for music and his unwavering dedication to his craft, until the time of his passing.
Noted American journalist and author Nat Hentoff's unshakeable dedication to the preservation of the First Amendment's sacred principles and the unbridled freedom of the press solidified his reputation as a steadfast champion of these cornerstone liberties. His comprehensive and eloquent writings on these matters, widely disseminated and widely respected, served as a beacon of intellectual honesty and a testament to his unwavering commitment to the protection of these fundamental rights.
**Nat Hentoff**
Born on June 10, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts, Nat Hentoff was an American journalist, author, and musician. He began his career as a jazz critic for DownBeat magazine, later transitioning to become a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement and a fierce advocate for First Amendment rights. Hentoff's work appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and The Washington Post. He was also a frequent guest on various television programs, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Meet the Press.
Noted music critic and journalist Nat Hentoff's impressive body of work spanned a wide array of esteemed publications, including the renowned jazz publications Down Beat and JazzTimes, as well as the respected legal publication Legal Times. His writings also appeared in the prominent Washington, D.C.-based newspapers The Washington Post and The Washington Times, as well as the progressive publication The Progressive and the publishing industry trade journal Editor & Publisher. Additionally, Hentoff's work was featured in the influential opinion magazine Free Inquiry, where he brought his unique perspective to the table. He also had the distinction of serving as a staff writer for the iconic New Yorker magazine, and his work was showcased in the esteemed national newspaper The New York Times, as well as the Jewish-focused review Jewish World Review, the esteemed Atlantic magazine, the influential opinion magazine The New Republic, the Catholic social justice magazine Commonweal, and the Italian entertainment encyclopedia Enciclopedia dello Spettacolo, among many other notable publications.
The profound and lasting impact of his remarkable legacy endures, serving as a beacon of inspiration and a guiding force in the pursuit of knowledge, while simultaneously upholding the paramount importance of intellectual freedom, a testament to his unwavering commitment to these core values.
