A series of notable figures in jazz music, literature, reality TV, performance art, and theater have passed away, with a tribute to jazz legend Sonny Rollins highlighting his essential albums.

• Sonny Rollins, Giant of the Jazz Saxophone, Is Dead at 95 — New York Times Arts -
• Robert Daley, Multifaceted Author of ‘Prince of the City,’ Dies at 96 — New York Times Books -
• John Barbour, Who Played Key Role in the Rise of Reality TV, Dies at 93 — New York Times Arts -

• Ben Morea, Principal Provocateur of 1960s Anarchist Group, Dies at 84 — New York Times Arts -
• Sonny Rollins: 12 Essential Albums — New York Times Arts -
• Michael Pennington, Commanding Shakespeare Actor, Dies at 82 — New York Times Arts -

Readers can explore a diverse selection of new books, from Rosa Montero's insights into creativity and sanity to MJ Corey's deconstruction of the Kardashians, and prepare for summer with a curated reading bucket list.

• Book Review: ‘The Danger to Be Sane,’ by Rosa Montero — New York Times Books -
• What to Read This Summer: NYT Reading Bucket List — New York Times Arts -
• Book Review: ‘Dekonstructing the Kardashians,’ by MJ Corey — New York Times Books -

• Book Review: ‘Freedom Round the Globe,’ by Sarah M.S. Pearsall — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Babylon, South Dakota,’ by Tom Lin — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘The Vivisectors,’ by Missouri Williams — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘The Midnight Train,’ by Matt Haig — New York Times Books -

The Broadway scene sees Lea Michele's departure leading to the closure of 'Chess', the announcement of Julia Louis-Dreyfus starring in 'Other Desert Cities', and spectacular new productions like 'The Lost Boys', alongside opportunities for free theater in NYC.

• ‘Chess’ Will Close With Lea Michele’s Departure, in a Change of Plans — New York Times Arts -
• Free Theater in NYC: 15 Live Shows to See This Spring and Summer — New York Times Arts -
• Broadway’s ‘The Lost Boys’ and Its Flying Vampire Spectacle — New York Times Arts -

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Star in ‘Other Desert Cities’ on Broadway — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Maids,’ With Yerin Ha, Asks: Has Life Become One Big Performance? — New York Times Arts -

The L.A. Philharmonic names Daniel Harding as its new music director, Opera Philadelphia stages a remarkable comeback, while the Kennedy Center faces cancellations, and a weekly feature recommends five great songs.

• 5 Great Songs I Encountered This Week — New York Times Arts -
• L.A. Philharmonic Names Daniel Harding as Music Director — New York Times Arts -
• Opera Philadelphia: Behind Its Comeback — New York Times Arts -

• All Quiet at the Kennedy Center — New York Times Arts -

The Cannes Film Festival grapples with the integration of artificial intelligence and other industry changes, while a retrospective revisits Michael Bay's blockbuster 'Armageddon', nearly three decades after its release.

• How Cannes Is Grappling With Changes — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Armageddon’: The Blockbuster Melodrama That Left Our Heads Spinning — New York Times Arts -

Thomas Dambo transforms scrap into art installations, a writer travels the Hudson River Valley using art as a historical guide, and a deep dive explores the demanding and often blurred lines of celebrity assistant duties.

• Traveling the Hudson River Valley With Art as a Guide — New York Times Arts -
• Celebrity Assistants Exist to Indulge Their Bosses, but When Does Duty Cross a Line? — New York Times Arts -
• He’s Trolling Your Trash, and Turning It Into Art — New York Times Arts -