Music

Donny McCaslin performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Nov. 28, 2016. (Raquel Zaldivar/NPR)

Music & Culture

Donny McCaslin: Tiny Desk Concert

4:12pm January 09, 2017

by Bob Boilen

Hear McCaslin, the saxophonist and bandleader whose group backed David Bowie on Blackstar, near the anniversary of that album's release. Selections include an instrumental take on Bowie's "Lazarus."

Music & Culture

In Café Tacvba's New Video, The 'Futuro' Is Not Black And White

1:55pm January 09, 2017

by Jessica Diaz-Hurtado

Café Tacvba looks beyond binaries to see time and the universe through an optimistic lens in this electronica-tinged Latin folk song.

Craig Finn's new album, We All Want The Same Things, comes out March 24.

Music & Culture

Hear 'Preludes,' The First Single From Craig Finn's New Solo Album

11:23am January 09, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

Finn, who's sung in The Hold Steady and Lifter Puller, has a new record called We All Want The Same Things, due out March 24.

Music & Culture

'The Joshua Tree' Turns 30, U2 To Celebrate With Special Tour

11:12am January 09, 2017

by Robin Hilton

The album that made U2 global megastars turns 30 this year. To mark the milestone, the band will perform The Joshua Tree in its entirety at several live performances.

Keyon Harrold has just released his newest single, "Stay This Way (Feat. Bilal & Big K.R.I.T.)."

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Keyon Harrold, 'Stay This Way (Feat. Bilal & Big K.R.I.T.)'

9:56am January 09, 2017

by Cam Robert

The jazz trumpeter asks if euphoric moments are meant to last, or if they're naturally fleeting.

Lukas Forchhammer (center) of the Danish pop group Lukas Graham, pictured with bandmates Magnus Larsson (left) and Mark Falgren.

Music & Culture

The Voice Of Lukas Graham, On Small-Town Life In A Big City

11:27am January 08, 2017

by NPR Staff

Lukas Forchhammer, leader of the Danish band, grew up in a commune-like section of Copenhagen. "It was more of a rural upbringing," he says, "even though it was in the center of our capital city."

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Iconic Journalist, Jazz Critic Nat Hentoff Dies At Age 91

8:40am January 08, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Renowned journalist and jazz critic Nat Hentoff has died at 91 years old.

Smokey Hormel plays at Sunny's Bar in Brooklyn in August 2013.

Music & Culture

How Smokey Hormel Became The Quintessential Session Musician

8:08am January 07, 2017

by Alex Cohen

The guitarist has played on records by Tom Waits, Norah Jones and Beck, but at one point, he was sure he wanted to pursue a career in acting.

Robbie Robertson onstage at the Academy of Music in December 1971.

Music & Culture

Robbie Robertson On World Cafe

5:58pm January 06, 2017

by David Dye

The guitarist says The Band's debut album, Music From Big Pink, "was music we were making for one another. It was just the pure joy of making music."

The xx producer Jamie Smith (left) met bandmates Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim when all three were 11 years old. "I was quite happy just to stay us," Smith says. "I think just keeping your closest friends around is the best."

Music & Culture

The xx On Growing Up Without Growing Apart

4:56pm January 06, 2017

by NPR Staff

Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith have been a trio since childhood, but like any long-term relationship, it's taken work. They joined NPR's Ari Shapiro to talk about their unique bond.

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