Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Saxophonist Tony Malaby's New Quartet Brings Out His Rowdy Side

2:16pm March 18, 2015

by Kevin Whitehead

Malaby has merged his two trios — with a cello and a tuba — into a quartet called Tubacello. Their new album is Scorpion Eater. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says he hopes to hear from them again.

Queue Listen Now

The newest album by The Muffinz, Do What You Love, tackles heavy issues such as politics, race and education.

Music & Culture

In South Africa, Soulful Music Delivers Serious Messages

7:21pm March 17, 2015

by Baz Dreisinger

Johannesburg-based band The Muffinz tackles AIDS, politics and education while blending jazz, soul and R&B with their country's choral traditions.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Remastering 78s: A Company Brings Clarity To Pianist Artur Schnabel's Works

2:11pm March 17, 2015

by Lloyd Schwartz

Many historic recordings have been transferred to CD, but not always as accurately as desirable. But a small record company in France has been remastering these recordings in a revolutionary way.

Queue Listen Now

Aaron Watson on stage during the National Finals Rodeo Cowboy Fanfest in Las Vegas in 2014.

Music & Culture

Winning In Country Music, With No Help From Nashville

12:53pm March 17, 2015

by NPR Staff

Traditional country musicians, the kind who never get airplay on mainstream country radio stations, are thriving in regional scenes supported by devoted live audiences.

Queue Listen Now

At SXSW 2014, pop star Lady Gaga performed on a stage made to look like a five-story-tall Doritos vending machine, which won't be returning this week.

Music & Culture

Doritos Stage Pulled From SXSW But Issues Remain

11:01am March 17, 2015

by John Burnett

As the Austin, Texas, music festival enters its 28th year, concerns continue over corporate branding and security.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Brandi Carlile's Surging Voice Grounds 'The Firewatcher's Daughter'

1:40pm March 16, 2015

by Ken Tucker

Carlile has been releasing albums for the past 10 years, and Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker says her new one, called The Firewatcher's Daughter, is her best yet.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

They're Not Only '60s Songwriting Superstars, But They're Also Married

1:37pm March 13, 2015

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who wrote "We Gotta Get Out of this Place," have been a team for more than 50 years. Terry Gross spoke with them in 2000, when they were depicted in the musical Beautiful.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Drummer Hal Blaine Talks About Making Music Over The Years

1:37pm March 13, 2015

Blaine is featured in the new documentary The Wrecking Crew about a group of anonymous intensely successful musicians who recorded together. Terry Gross spoke with him in 2001.

Queue Listen Now

Fantastic Negrito is the winner of the first-ever Tiny Desk Concert Contest.

Music & Culture

The Tiny Desk Concert Contest Winner Is ...

11:22am March 13, 2015

by Bob Boilen

Out of thousands of submissions, one soulful musician came out on top.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

50 Years Of The Hollies

1:27pm March 11, 2015

by Ed Ward

Not many bands can celebrate a silver anniversary, which is why Fresh Air music historian Ed Ward wishes more people made a bigger deal out of The Hollies.

Queue Listen Now