The Art of Asking Questions: Jazz, Writing, and What it Means to Listen to Music and Words
It’s 2026, and Reading the Room is back with an exciting line up for the year.
We kick off January with:
The Art of Asking Questions: Jazz, Writing, and What it Means to Listen to Music and Words
What makes a good question and why does it matter so much in writing, reading, and art?
In this month’s call, we’ll explore the art of asking questions through an unexpected and illuminating lens: jazz.
Jazz is built on curiosity, listening, timing, and improvisation — qualities that also sit at the heart of great interviews, compelling writing, and deep reading.
We’ll be joined by journalist, author, and composer Chris Becker, whose work spans music and art, including a book based on in-depth interviews with women in jazz. Drawing from years of conversation with artists, we’ll talk about questions, interviewing, and how using them well in writing and reading is akin to the improvisation of jazz.
Together, we’ll explore:
What jazz can teach us about interviewing, writing, and revision
Why listening is often more important than having the “right” question
How improvisation and structure work together in both music and prose
What it means to read and write with openness rather than certainty
This conversation is for writers, readers, journalists, artists, and anyone curious about how meaning emerges through dialogue. No jazz expertise required. Just bring a willingness to listen, reflect, and engage.
Hope you’ll join us for a great conversation.