At 60, New York City-based composer John Zornis wiser, sure, but no less prolific, thoughtful and antagonistic than before. His oeuvre is fantastically wide, from cutthroat jazz improvisation and pummeling noise-rock to gorgeous chamber music and, believe it or not, a genuine Christmas album. The saxophonist also runs the prolific Tzadik label, which releases Zorn’s many works — including his latest album, Dreamachines — and highlights a vast swath of avant-garde and experimental music. Celebrations for Zorn’s birthday started earlier this summer, but continue through September, with events at places ranging from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Anthology Film Archive. He tells Fresh Air’s Terry Gross that, at his age, “there are no more doubts.”

Interview Highlights:

via At 60, ‘Challenges Are Opportunities’ For John Zorn : NPR.

John Hunter: “World Peace And Other 4th-Grade Achievements” Rebroadcast | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR.

In 1978, John Hunter was a young teacher looking to make social studies relevant to inner-city kids. What he came up with: a four-by-four piece of plywood on which students attempted to solve the problems of Africa. Over time, this board became multidimensional, growing to encompass nations, prime ministers, the U.N. and the World Bank. The goal is to solve geo-political problems with the least amount of military intervention. And for Hunter, it’s come to represent a philosophy of education. John Hunter joins Diane to talk about “The World Peace Game” and three decades of teaching.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-02/harvard-research-shows-guns-dont-kill-people-people-kill-people

http://youtu.be/et1NSxT1K4w