In 2021, jazz went back in time to see the future
Nostalgia tends to dominate our respective listening habits. This year saw the excavation of various titles from the annals of time.
Music
Jazz night at the opera (and other liberating acts of 2021)
Both Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter realized long-held dreams: they both premiered operas. But more than that, they crumbled walls that have long separated musical genres and communities.
Reflecting on the wisdom of our jazz elders
In 2021, Shannon J. Effinger celebrated the giants who embody of Black genius.
Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad
Students and faculty with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music flew last week from Doha to Lisbon, where they will start their new lives and reconstitute their celebrated academy in exile.
Amanda Shires wants out 'For Christmas'
The fiddler, singer and songwriter's new Christmas album takes a realistic measure of the season.
Tiny Desk (Home) Concert: Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music
The two Grammy Award-winning gospel artists come together for an unapologetic expression of faith and gratefulness in this holiday Tiny Desk home concert.
All Songs Considered for the holidays, 2021
Hear our collection of now-classic holiday misadventures featuring All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton, with guest appearances by Taylor Swift, Steve Martin, William Shatner and more.
Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly and Bono gamble big for superstardom in 'Sing 2'
In a sequel to the 2016 hit animated film, koala-bear mogul Buster Moon and his talented troupe try to land a dream booking, by promising to enlist a reclusive superstar.
Drakeo the Ruler, a rising force in West Coast rap, has died at age 28
The rapper was hailed as "the most original West Coast stylist in decades." He was reportedly stabbed at the Once Upon a Time in LA music festival.
Children's artist Jazzy Ash wraps up a busy year with new Christmas songs
Ashli St. Armant plays funky New Orleans-style fare for kids with her band, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards, and spins mysterious tales in her Viva Durant audiobook series.