Music & Culture

The 85 musicians in the Santa Cecilia Orchestra are paid professionals who play with other symphonies and in Hollywood studios.

Music & Culture

How Do You Get Latino Kids Into Classical Music? Bring The Parents

9:53am June 10, 2014

by Mandalit del Barco

"If they hold an instrument, they will not take a drug. They will not hold a gun," says Santa Cecilia Orchestra conductor Sonia Marie De Leon De Vega. "It's that powerful."

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Music & Culture

Miranda Lambert's 'Platinum' Has Backyard Swagger

3:28pm June 04, 2014

by Ken Tucker

Platinum continues Miranda Lambert's ongoing project to create songs about women who are complex, fun-loving, and assertive.

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Music & Culture

Golem Ain't Your Grandparents' Klezmer

3:00pm June 03, 2014

by Milo Miles

The New York City band Golem describes its music as punk-klezmer. On Tanz, they mange to find new ways to balance urban irreverence with folk tradition.

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John Fullbright's new album is called Songs.

Music & Culture

John Fullbright's Uneven 'Songs' Finds A Way To Fascinate

3:09pm June 02, 2014

by Ken Tucker

Songs feels like the work of an artist who's still figuring out who he is, where he wants to go, and what he wants to elaborate upon — or invent anew.

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Music & Culture

Two New Items From Hank Williams

11:46am June 02, 2014

by Ken Tucker

Williams is commonly considered the most important country music songwriter. Critic Ken Tucker has a review of a newly released CD of radio broadcasts and DVD of TV performances.

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Music & Culture

Jazz Pianist Ted Rosenthal Has A Feel For Gershwin

11:45am June 02, 2014

by Kevin Whitehead

Rosenthal has played George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" solo and with symphonic and jazz orchestras. Now he's recorded a version for jazz trio as part of an all-Gershwin album.

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Music & Culture

Mandolin Orchestra Celebrates 90 Years Of Harmony

11:45am June 02, 2014

by Jon Kalish

Americans were once mad for mandolins. Yet today, most have disappeared. We visit one of the remaining mandolin orchestras, which is celebrating its 90th birthday.

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Meshell Ndegeocello's latest album is Comet, Come To Me.

Music & Culture

Meshell Ndegeocello Trades Songs And Stories, Live In L.A.

6:58am June 02, 2014

by NPR Staff

The bassist and songwriter gave a secret show in Los Angeles this weekend, and NPR's Arun Rath was there. Hear their conversation and selections from the concert.

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Drummer Art Blakey, who recorded for Blue Note from 1954 to 1965, in the studio.

Music & Culture

Cause For Celebration: The Iconic Blue Note Records At 75

5:03pm May 29, 2014

by NPR Staff

Musicians and insiders talk to NPR about the jazz label's legacy. "It's just like the Empire State Building or the White House," says one. "It's a monument."

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Music & Culture

The Bronze Buckaroo Rides Off Into The Sunset

2:54pm May 27, 2014

The black singing cowboy Herb Jeffries sang a Duke Ellington hit and appeared in 1930s westerns like Harlem Rides the Range and The Bronze Buckaroo.

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