Music & Culture

The Young People's Chorus of New York City, performing back in better times.

Is Singing Together Safe In The Era Of Coronavirus? Not Really, Experts Say

1:37pm August 10, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Schools, faith and community groups as well as professional musicians are all struggling with the risks of singing. Experts present the most recent research and offer strategies to mitigate the risks.

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Moses Sumney plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Moses Sumney: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

10:07am August 10, 2020

by Bobby Carter

The singer-songwriter performed music from his new album, græ, from his home in North Carolina.

Every now and again, a young jazz musician turns up out of nowhere to take the whole scene by surprise, and then by storm. That's exactly what we're seeing right now from Micah Thomas.

Music & Culture

Micah Thomas Is A Jazz Pianist With A Lot Of Runway

8:16am August 10, 2020

by Nate Chinen

A recent graduate of Juilliard, pianist Micah Thomas has made some serious waves this season with his debut album, Tide, and several prominent sideman gigs.

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"I got a lot of emails after we posted our first video," says violinist Dr. Erica Hardy. She says the orchestra's virtual performances are a way to give back to the community.

Music & Culture

Meet The Medical Professionals Playing Classical Music Together Online

5:27pm August 09, 2020

The National Virtual Medical Orchestra brings together health care workers and gives them a creative outlet during the pandemic.

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Music & Culture

New Summer Songs From Alt.Latino

7:55am August 09, 2020

by Stefanie Fernández

Alt.Latino contributor Stefanie Fernández shares the latest Latin music releases — rock, rap and hip-swiveling tunes — from a diverse group of artists.

When she quit music eight years ago, Kathleen Edwards says she felt "a huge sense of relief." After taking time for herself (and opening up a coffee shop), she's back with a new album, Total Freedom.

Music & Culture

Kathleen Edwards On Taking A Break From Music And Finding 'Total Freedom'

7:56am August 08, 2020

Almost a decade ago, Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards gave up music and opened a cafe called Quitters Coffee. She returns now with Total Freedom, her first album in eight years.

Tim Minchin plays Lucky in the new series Upright.

Tim Minchin Hauls A Piano Across Australia In 'Upright'

7:56am August 08, 2020

by Scott Simon

Singer, songwriter, and satirist Tim Minchin's new series opens with a bang: A frazzled man is driving an upright piano across the bare Australian landscape when he collides with a mouthy teenager.

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Music & Culture

'The South Got Something To Say' Is A Celebratory Canon Of Southern Rap

6:14pm August 07, 2020

NPR Music has launched The South Got Something To Say, a canon of Southern hip-hop. Its creator, critic Briana Younger, and NPR's Rodney Carmichael explained the project on All Things Considered.

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Beyoncé puts a conversation about Africa on the front line with her visual album Black Is King, which premiered on Disney+.

Opinion: We Are Africans. Here's Our View Of Beyoncé's 'Black Is King'

1:51pm August 07, 2020

Esther Ngumbi, a professor from Kenya, and Ifeanyi Nsofor, a doctor in Nigeria, react to the megastar's movie-length music video — and to criticism from other Africans.

Big Boi performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Oct. 1, 2018.

Music & Culture

The 5 Best Southern Rap Tiny Desk Concerts

11:07am August 07, 2020

by Bobby Carter

From Gucci Mane making Tiny Desk history as our first trap performer to Megan Thee Stallion repping Houston while headlining the very first Tiny Desk Fest, the South is legion at the Desk.