Podium Diplomacy: Conductor Takes Chinese Music West And Vice Versa
5 years, 40 works: Long Yu wants China and the West to know each other's contemporary music better. He's launching a big project to accomplish just that.
Music Interviews
Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon On Marriage, Music And Moving On
Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore were indie rock's power couple — until their marriage, and their band, ended in 2011. Gordon looks back on the experience in a new memoir called Girl in a Band.
The Mavericks Release An Album, Minus Robert Reynolds
The country rock band The Mavericks are back with a new album, but this time without a founding member, Robert Reynolds. NPR's Scott Simon talks with bandmates Raul Malo and Eddie Perez about Mono.
Pussy Riot Releases Its First Song In English
The Russian band Pussy Riot is well known for protesting the Russian government. Now the group has released its first song in English. NPR's Scott Simon talks to band member Nadya Tolokonnikova.
Christian McBride On 'A Love Supreme' And Its Descendants
The Jazz Night in America host shares thoughts on the Coltrane classic, which turns 50 this month, as well as two remarkable contemporary pianists.
The Doctor Is In: Eddie Henderson On Life As 'The Funk Surgeon'
A veteran of both music and medicine, Henderson got his first trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, played in Herbie Hancock's band and once had Thelonious Monk as a patient.
50 Years Of Music With Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot has been making music for a long time, and he's still at it five decades later. NPR's Scott Simon talks to him about his 50 Years on the Carefree Highway tour.
Bird Of A Feather: Rudresh Mahanthappa On Learning From Charlie Parker
There are no Parker tunes on the sax player's latest album, Bird Calls, but it's a tribute nonetheless.
A Young Man's Loneliness, And His Soulful Falsetto
The 22-year-old British singer Sam Smith broke through as the high-note voice snaking through an international club anthem. Now, he's written and recorded a debut album about love and loss.
Grammys Show Producer Explains The Origin Of Onstage Mashups
Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift are just a few of the musicians up for Grammy Awards. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with the executive producer of the award show, Ken Ehrlich.