Music

Music & Culture

You Have To Fight For The Vision: Wynton Marsalis Talks With Lara Downes

8:24am June 19, 2021

by Lara Downes

The musical polymath offers ideas on everything from Russian satellites and hip-hop, to Bach and football, and how they shape the musical education of America.

Conductor Marin Alsop, at a performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2006, just before she became the BSO's music director. She's leaving the organization after 14 years.

Music & Culture

Reflections On Connections: Marin Alsop Bids Farewell To Baltimore

7:58am June 19, 2021

by Marin Alsop

The groundbreaking conductor — the first woman to lead a major American Orchestra — reflects on 14 years as music director of the Baltimore Symphony.

From left, Russell and Ron Mael, who record as Sparks, photographed in 1982 during the cover shoot for their album Angst In My Pants.

50 Years Of Sparks: The World Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Them

4:35pm June 18, 2021

by Bob Mondello

The eclectic, prolific and beloved brother-brother pop duo is marking 50 years this year – but, somehow, you've never heard their music? Let's fix that.

Toots Hibbert, of Toots and the Maytals, performing in London in 1980.

Music & Culture

Trojan Records, Legendary Reggae Label, Resurrects A Long Out-Of-Print Trove

9:47am June 18, 2021

by Jon Kalish

"The Trojan Story" rocked the music world in 1971, introducing listeners to artists like Jimmy Cliff, the Maytals, and Lee "Scratch" Perry. Long out of print, the three-LP set is reissued on June 18.

YWCA camp for girls. Highland Beach, Maryland, 1930. These photos are from the Scurlock Studio Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Read more about the photos at the end of this story.

Music & Culture

Songs For Freedom: A Juneteenth Playlist From Pianist Lara Downes

7:23am June 18, 2021

Music offers freedom. Freedom of expression — a way to rejoice and to mourn, to offer comfort, to call for change.

Tiny Desk concert with Madisen Ward And The Mama Bear

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Playlist: Celebrating Black Music Month Is A Family Affair

6:00am June 18, 2021

by Gabrielle Pierre

Talent runs in the family for these Tiny Desk alums. As we celebrate Black Music Month, let's take a look at these Tiny Desk stars and their extra-special guests.

Don Cherry (center) and Moki Cherry (right) reflected their globalist attitudes towards music with international musicians and instruments. Their son, Eagle-Eye, is seated out front.

Music & Culture

Don And Moki Cherry's Organic Dreams Made Real

5:00am June 18, 2021

by Martin Johnson

In the late '60s through the '70s, Don and Moki Cherry imagined a world where creative music, education and the arts all lived together.

Music & Culture

Billy Bragg And Joe Henry On Mountain Stage

3:29pm June 17, 2021

by Dave Lavender

Two gifted storytellers perform railroad songs and take fans on a journey during a Mountain Stage performance from 2016.

Music & Culture

A 'Jazz Night' Family Affair: Father And Son Saxophonists Mike And Julian Lee

2:00pm June 17, 2021

Jazz Night explores the heartwarming relationship between saxophonists Mike Lee and his son Julian, through music from both and the backstory that led to Julian's early love of jazz.

Calvin The II entered the song "Black" into the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 4

1:00pm June 17, 2021

While our judges search for the winner, we're sharing more entries we love. This week's selection includes an ode to Black identity shot on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.