Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite things from among the people, CDs, and performances I wrote about this year.
AGACHIKO | Gabrielle Agachiko started her latest project as a Nina Simone tribute, but it quickly grew to encompass jazz standards and Agachiko's emotionally daring (and funny) originals. The Either/Orchestra's Russ Gershon became the arranger for the band's unique flute-tenor-trumpet line-up.
READ MORE: "Confessin' the blues ... and a whole lot more," by Jon Garelick
Related:
Some must-see acts at this weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival, Photos: Esperanza Spalding, Michael Feinstein, Wynton Marsalis and more at Newport Jazz Festival, Video games of 2011: Yakuza 4 is the tops, More 
- Some must-see acts at this weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival
To kick off the 2011 edition of the NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL , MICHAEL FEINSTEIN harks to the Voice's classic 1958 date, essaying a handful of Tin Pan Alley chestnuts in his own bravura-flecked style.
- Photos: Esperanza Spalding, Michael Feinstein, Wynton Marsalis and more at Newport Jazz Festival
Newport Jazz Festival comes to Fort Adams State Park on August 5 - 7, 2011.
- Video games of 2011: Yakuza 4 is the tops
There was plenty to cheer for in the 2011 crop of games.
- The Big Hurt: Weighing 2011 against decades past
We can't truly understand 2011's place in music history until we weigh it against its counterparts from decades past, preferably in some sort of arbitrary jerk-off critical exercise. Hey, here's one
- A whirlwind year of dance
Here's a look at highlights from my year of dance viewing.
- The best films of 2011 are not the ballyhooed
The films this year were kind of like the current field of Republican presidential candidates: some are entertaining, but there's no clear frontrunner, and there's more attention on the flashiest and least substantial than on the more thoughtful and genuine.
- The year in Boston rock
The Boston rock scene is an interesting beast. Ambitious, cohesive, and frustratingly indefinable, it's a community that might not make much sense to outsiders.
- 2011 goes pop
The Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" alludes to eras of upheaval and tumult. But what if that tumult happens too slowly to seem interesting?
- Dueling stages
It's been the visitors versus the home teams this year.
- Interview: Violent J on the FBI, Odd Future, and why he pulls more hotties than we do
It's been another wicked year for the Insane Clown Posse.
- A longing look at 2011's lost liberties
You might already be outraged over San Francisco's Happy Meal ban.
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Topics:
Jazz
, Noah Preminger, Charles Lloyd, Dan Tepfer, More
, Noah Preminger, Charles Lloyd, Dan Tepfer, paul lieberman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Magos Herrera, Daniel Rosenthal, Agachiko, lookback2011, Less
