Music & Culture

Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday.

Music & Culture

Arturo Sandoval: Free To Blow His Trumpet The Way He Wants

9:43am November 21, 2013

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

NPR's Shereen Marisol Meraji spent time with Cuban trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval, just days before he accepted his adopted country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Food and music mingle in Pieter Claesz's Still Life with Musical Instruments (1623).

Music & Culture

The Orchestral Recipe, From The Pilgrims To Today

6:55am November 21, 2013

by NPR Staff

NPR's Renee Montagne talks with music commentator Miles Hoffman about how the ingredients that make up a Thanksgiving dinner and those that make up an orchestra have changed over the centuries.

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Feist On World Cafe

4:00pm November 18, 2013

Leslie Feist has long attracted serious buzz: In the early 2000s, the Canadian singer-songwriter appeared to be on the verge of jumping from underground success to mainstream stardom. In 2007, she started to fulfill that promise. Hear an archived interview and studio performance.

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Music & Culture

'The Biggest Jazz Riff Ever Written:' Jeremy Denk's 'Goldberg Variations'

11:01am November 18, 2013

by NPR Staff

The celebrated pianist, and newly minted MacArthur fellow, describes the 'naughty, wicked and bittersweet' sides of Bach's iconic keyboard work. Denk's new recording includes a DVD with him discussing various aspects of the music.

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Brandy Clark's new album is titled 12 Stories.

Music & Culture

Brandy Clark Tells The 'Stories' That Are Tough To Hear

9:12am November 18, 2013

by Ken Tucker

Ken Tucker calls the country singer-songwriter's new 12 Stories a "modestly amazing album." Every song is striking, textured and finely detailed.

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Ted Nash's new album, Chakra, is out now.

Music & Culture

'Something That Is Very Real For Me': Ted Nash Completes His 'Chakra'

5:29pm November 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

The jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer embarked on a spiritual journey that spanned years before he was able to complete his new record. In a discussion with NPR's Arun Rath, Nash talks about starting from square one in educating himself about Hindu philosophy.

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Music & Culture

The Soulful, Swinging Sounds Of Stax: A Look Back

11:22am November 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

Robert Gordon's new book explores the tragedy and triumphs of one of the most unlikely soul labels, an integrated business that produced hits such as Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Coming" and Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness."

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Kelly Clarkson's new holiday album is titled Wrapped in Red.

Music & Culture

Two Sides Of Holiday Cheer From Kelly Clarkson, Nick Lowe

2:57pm November 15, 2013

by Ken Tucker

Whether glossy and heartfelt (Clarkson's Wrapped in Red) or earnest and playful (Lowe's Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family), these albums can help conjure a holiday mood in the month before Christmas.

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Omar Souleyman's new album, Wenu Wenu, is out now.

Music & Culture

Omar Souleyman: America's Favorite Syrian Wedding Singer

6:53am November 14, 2013

by NPR Staff

Souleyman discusses the importance of musical experimentation in an unlikely setting. In conversation with NPR's Renee Montagne, the Syrian electronic musician also expresses his desire to perform in his homeland again.

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Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: Download 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

5:11am November 13, 2013

Download two handfuls of our favorite new songs, including music by British producer Tourist., German pop act Claire, New York City dance duo Holy Ghost!, rapper Jean Grae, punk-pop trio Upset, fiddle prodigy Sarah Jarosz and more.

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