Music & Culture

Ben Watt has been listening to solo guitar music while in isolation.

Music & Culture

Ben Watt Reflects On Listening To 'Lone Guitar Meditations' In Isolation

10:00am April 30, 2020

by Ben Watt

In Our Daily Breather, we ask writers and artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. While in isolation, Ben Watt has turned to the power of solo guitar music.

Henry Grimes performs in New York in 2003. Grimes died on April 15 at the age of 84, of complications from coronavirus.

Music & Culture

A Month To Celebrate Jazz, Turned Tragic

7:02am April 30, 2020

by Nate Chinen

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, but in 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that cost the jazz community many elders and working musicians, the phrase "appreciation" took a darker cast.

Music & Culture

Library Of Congress Unveils Open-Source Sampling Tool Called DJ Citizen

5:37am April 30, 2020

Brian Foo creates new music from old sounds. His audio remix project at the Library of Congress, which uses sound in the public domain, is called Citizen DJ.

Megan Thee Stallion plays a Tiny Desk Concert (Laura Beltran Villamizar/NPR).

Music & Culture

Beyoncé Joins Megan Thee Stallion On The Delightfully Braggadocious 'Savage (Remix)'

7:21pm April 29, 2020

by Cyrena Touros

The remix comes two months after Megan fought her label for the right to release new music, which culminated in the surprise release of her third mixtape, Suga.

Bernice was Glenn Copeland's choice of an artist he's thankful for in All Things Considered's series Play it Forward. In this edition, Bernice's lead singer Robin Dann chooses Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Music & Culture

Play It Forward: Bernice's Robin Dann On Writing Music With A Sense Of Surprise

6:08pm April 29, 2020

In the third episode of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro interviews Robin Dann of the Canadian band, Bernice. She talks about redefining success and how the freedom of jazz informs her music.

Queue Listen Now

The band Snarky Puppy playing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2015.

Newport Folk And Jazz Festivals Canceled Due To Coronavirus

5:48pm April 29, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Two of the U.S.' most influential and storied summer music festivals have been canceled for 2020, due to coronavirus concerns. The sibling events were scheduled to take place in July and August.

Irish American musician Séamus Egan is featured in this week's show.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Spring Sounds

1:45pm April 29, 2020

As we work through the challenges of our times, let a new spring tide of recordings carry you along.

Daughter of Swords plays a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

Daughter Of Swords: Tiny Desk Concert

1:25pm April 29, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

Alexandra Sauser-Monnig returns to the Tiny Desk with her band Daughter of Swords, showcasing new music as well as songs from 2019's gorgeous Dawnbreaker album.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April.

Music & Culture

Stream These Virtual Events To Celebrate International Jazz Day On April 30

12:00pm April 29, 2020

by Trevor Smith

On April 30, the global jazz community will celebrate International Jazz Day with an expert panel and a global concert featuring pianist Lang Lang, bassist Marcus Miller and more.

Music & Culture

Our Daily Breather: Steve Aoki's Quarantine Workout Routine

10:00am April 29, 2020

by Steve Aoki

In Our Daily Breather, we ask writers and artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Producer and DJ Steve Aoki shares the workout routine that's helping him.