Music & Culture

Jason Haaheim is principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Music & Culture

Meet The Nanotechnologist Behind The Timpani At The Met

8:15am June 17, 2017

Jason Haaheim was a senior scientist at a nanotech company before deciding he wanted to play in a professional orchestra. He's now principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Music therapist Brian Schreck began working with Nate Kramer after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Together, they recorded a song of Nate's heartbeat layered over melodies.

Heartbeat Music: Parents Remember Their Son Through His Song Of Life

7:34pm June 16, 2017

by Erika Lantz

Nate Kramer was a tall, quiet collegiate swimmer when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He died four years later. But during treatment he met a therapist, and together they played and recorded music.

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Music & Culture

Music News: Beyonce's Twins, Katy Perry's New Album

4:38pm June 16, 2017

by Jacob Ganz

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with NPR Music editor Jacob Ganz about the music news of the week, including the buzz around Beyonce's twins, Katy Perry's new album and a 48-year-old songwriting credit for Yoko Ono on John Lennon's, "Imagine."

Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #77- Listening to the Classics of old time, bluegrass, blues & gospel

4:00pm June 16, 2017

by Paul Brown

The first of this year's Across the Blue Ridge summer listening sessions brings us a wonderful selection of old and new songs and tunes demonstrating the many cultural crossroads in American tradit

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Liliana Saumet (left) and Simón Mejía perform in Bomba Estéreo.

Music & Culture

Bomba Estéreo Returns With 'Duele,' A Hypnotic Portrait Of Heartbreak

3:25pm June 16, 2017

by Julyssa Lopez

With undulating rhythms and a beguiling vocal, the Colombian band's new song evokes a subtle sense of tradition and spirituality. The surreal video unfolds like an animated Dalí painting.

Music & Culture

Jay Z: The Fresh Air Interview

1:37pm June 16, 2017

On Thursday, Jay Z became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. We'll listen back to his 2010 conversation with Terry Gross. Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2010.

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Music & Culture

In 'Creature Comfort,' Arcade Fire Drowns In The Din Of Modern Life

11:56am June 16, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

The second single from Everything Now, out July 28, reflects on unrealistic expectations and societal pressure to conform.

Penguin Cafe performs a Tiny Desk Concert on May 2, 2017. (Claire Harbage/NPR)

Music & Culture

Penguin Cafe: Tiny Desk Concert

11:04am June 16, 2017

by Bob Boilen

Penguin Cafe folds in sounds from around the world and throughout music history — Africa, Kraftwerk, Brazil and Franz Schubert.

Muscadine Bloodline is Charlie Muncaster (left) and Gary Stanton.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: Muscadine Bloodline

10:20am June 16, 2017

by Jewly Hight

The duo's take on down-home narratives and fist-pumping country anthems is edged in angsty, masculine sensitivity, betraying Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton's emo and mall-punk reference points.

Warner/Chappell Music CEO Jon Platt accepts a Songwriter Hall of Fame award on behalf of Jay Z, the first rapper inductee, on June 15, 2017 in New York City.

Music & Culture

Barack Obama Honors Jay Z At Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

10:18am June 16, 2017

by Andrew Flanagan

The annual ceremony, held in New York Thursday night, also honored Motown founder Berry Gordy, producer Max Martin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Babyface and members of the band Chicago.