Music & Culture

In the first episode of Amplify With Lara Downes, the pianist (left) speaks with singer-songwriter, banjo player and MacArthur "genius" Rhiannon Giddens.

Music & Culture

In Lara Downes' New Series, Black Musicians Rise To A Pivotal Moment

4:08pm October 26, 2020

The pianist joins Ari Shapiro to discuss Amplify With Lara Downes, a video series on Black musicians who have experienced renewed creativity regarding racial injustice.

Love Goes, out Oct. 30, is the third studio album by Sam Smith.

Music & Culture

Sam Smith On 'Love Goes' And Forgiving Yourself

2:28pm October 26, 2020

The Grammy winner says their third studio album, out Oct. 30, grew from learning to accept the parts of heartbreak that stay with you even after you've moved on.

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American Utopia, David Byrne amd Maira Kalman

'American Utopia' Book Argues For The Reincarnation Of Hope In The American Project

10:27am October 26, 2020

by Lily Meyer

The work is much more like reading a book-length poem than reading a play, though few poems or poetry collections come filled with charming illustrations of trees, dancers, and party-hatted dogs.

Katie Pruitt plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Katie Pruitt: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am October 26, 2020

by Ann Powers

The Nashville singer-songwriter delivers an empowering performance in this Tiny Desk quarantine concert.

Host Adele during the Saturday Night Live monologue on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.

'SNL': Adele Hosts Because 'Album's Not Finished,' But H.E.R. Debuts New Song

12:46pm October 25, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

Adele sang a bit in one sketch but left most of the music to H.E.R., who performed a new song called "Hold On."

Nicolas Muñoz writes, records, performs and produces as Boy Pablo.

Music & Culture

On 'Wachito Rico,' Boy Pablo Yearns For His First Love

12:09pm October 25, 2020

Nico Muñoz of Boy Pablo chats with NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro about his debut album, Wachito Rico.

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Country legend Jerry Jeff Walker poses backstage at a country music festival in 2009. Walker, best known for his hit "Mr. Bojangles," died Friday after complications from throat cancer. He was 78.

Music & Culture

Jerry Jeff Walker, Who Wrote 'Mr. Bojangles,' Dies At 78

5:11pm October 24, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Walker was a pioneer in Austin's country music scene in the 1970s. His most famous song, "Mr. Bojangles," went on to inspire countless covers.

Masked pedestrians enjoy Central Park earlier this year. The New York destination now has a site-specific soundtrack courtesy of composer Ellen Reid's Soundwalk app.

Music & Culture

Central Park Is Alive With The Sound Of Music, Thanks To A Site-Specific App

7:51am October 24, 2020

by Jeff Lunden

Created by Pulitzer-winning composer Ellen Reid, Soundwalk lets visitors score their socially distanced walks around the park with an ever-changing, GPS-sensitive soundtrack.

Music & Culture

New Music: 'This Love Thing'

4:43pm October 23, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with musicians and activists Rami Nashashibi and Drea D'Nur about their new album, This Love Thing.

A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Rosita, Bert & Ernie and Count Von Count.

Music & Culture

Swinging The Clouds Away: Jazz Takes Over Sesame Street

1:09pm October 23, 2020

On this show, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis invite the Sesame Street gang onstage. Plus, trombonist Joe Fielder's Open Sesame share rare songs from the Sesame songbook.