Music & Culture

Billy Strayhorn (right), born 100 years ago, spent the majority of his career as a composer and arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Music & Culture

100 Years Of Billy Strayhorn, Emotional Architect Of Song

7:47am November 29, 2015

by Tom Vitale

The composer and arranger spent the bulk of his career in service to the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He wrote some of the most popular songs of the 20th century — without ever hiding who he was.

Billy Strayhorn, pictured here in the 1940s, wrote more than 1,000 works, most of them for Duke Ellington.

Music & Culture

Billy Strayhorn In Five Songs

5:03am November 29, 2015

by David Brent Johnson

Though overshadowed during his own lifetime by his employer, Duke Ellington, the composer-arranger wrote more than 1,000 pieces. Here are takes on his most famous tunes.

Mdou Moctar is a local star among the Tuareg, based in the city of Agadez. Happily, Prince's iconic purple motorcycle also survived the translation.

'Purple Rain' — As Retold In A Language Without A Word For Purple

5:23pm November 28, 2015

by NPR Staff

Prince's '80s-era classic has gotten a modern update — in Niger. Directed by Christopher Kirkley, starring the nomadic Tuareg people, this Purple Rain remake drops the kissing but keeps the attitude.

Bass iconoclast Jaco Pastorius (seen here in 1986) is the subject of a new documentary produced by Metallica's Robert Trujillo.

Music & Culture

Metallica's Robert Trujillo On His Hero, Jaco Pastorius

1:58pm November 28, 2015

by NPR Staff

"People tried to call him just a jazz cat, but he was beyond that." Trujillo speaks with Michel Martin about a new documentary on the man sometimes called the Hendrix of the bass.

Robin Eubanks' new album, More Than Meets The Ear, is out now.

Music & Culture

Hendrix On A Horn: The World Of Robin Eubanks

8:00am November 28, 2015

by NPR Staff

His 30-year career includes trailblazing with an electric trombone, but the Oberlin educator and jazz player has never recorded with a big band until now.

Music & Culture

Richard Carpenter Weighs In On How To Craft The Perfect Pop Song

9:27pm November 27, 2015

In the '70s, Richard Carpenter and his sister, Karen, made up the pop duo the Carpenters. On Dec. 5, PBS will begin airing Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters. Originally broadcast Nov. 25, 2009.

Queue Listen Now

Conor O'Brien, who performs as Villagers.

Music & Culture

Villagers On World Cafe

7:19pm November 27, 2015

Conor O'Brien discusses how getting comfortable in his own skin has affected his music.

From left, The Spook School members Adam Todd, Niall McCamley, Nye Todd and Anna Cory.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: The Spook School, 'August 17th'

9:55am November 27, 2015

by Otis Hart

Hear the Scottish queer punk band perform a moving DIY ballad about loving someone who is in love with someone else.

Music & Culture

Mitch Albom's 'The Magic Strings Of Frankie Presto' On World Cafe

9:03am November 27, 2015

The author's new novel looks at the history of music through the life of fictional guitarist Frankie Presto.

Music & Culture

Itzhak Perlman: I'm Not On The Stage To Walk, I'm On It To Play

6:07am November 27, 2015

Steve Inskeep continues his conversation with Itzhak Perlman, who was 13 when he performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. When he was four, Perlman contracted polio and has used crutches since.