Music

John Prine performs in California in 2014.

Music & Culture

In Memoriam 2020: The Musicians We Lost

3:03pm December 31, 2020

The sheer volume of loss felt by the music world in 2020 is almost overwhelming. Here is NPR's tribute to dozens of the musicians — founders and innovators across genres — who died this year.

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A shot of jazz pianist Claude Bolling and friends, taken on a beach in Cannes, France in 1969.

Pianist Claude Bolling, Creator Of Popular Jazz/Classical Suites, Has Died

1:57pm December 31, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The French jazz pianist was best known for his 1975 collaboration with classical flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. It stayed on the Billboard charts for more than ten years.

Phil Cunningham is featured in this week's episode.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Solstice

9:00am December 31, 2020

Fiona Ritchie offers tunes to brighten the darkest days of the year.

We danced in kitchens, took long drives, caught up in backyards or on video chat, watched weddings from our living rooms. We found ways to thrive.

Music & Culture

Roséwave: Lost Summer

1:51pm December 30, 2020

by Lars Gotrich

Consider this the soundtrack for the summer that wasn't, with hopes of summers to come.

Music & Culture

Remembering The Jazz Legends Who Died In 2020

1:36pm December 30, 2020

by Kevin Whitehead

Dozens of notable jazz musicians died this year, many from COVID-19. Fresh Air critic Kevin Whitehead remembers some of the legends lost, including Bucky Pizzarelli, Ellis Marsalis and Jimmy Heath.

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You Might Be Ready To Forget 2020. This Film Reminds You Why You Shouldn't

1:32pm December 30, 2020

by Lydia Massey

2020 will be over soon. But director Tyler Jones says it's important that we take time to honor and amplify the lessons learned during this year of racial reckoning.

Arts & Music

Pair Of GCS Music Instructors Nominated For Grammys

7:04am December 30, 2020

by Eddie Garcia

Two Guilford County Schools educators are nominated for Grammy awards, and they both work at the same school.

Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Ted Danson and D'Arcy Carden in NBC's afterlife comedy series The Good Place, which ended after four seasons.

50 Wonderful Things From 2020

5:56pm December 29, 2020

by Linda Holmes

Linda Holmes' annual list of highlights from pop culture includes TV, movies, games, podcasts, TikTok videos and whatever else made the year a little easier.

Tony Rice performs on stage during Bonnaroo 2009 in Manchester, Tenn..

Music & Culture

Tony Rice Was My Guitar Hero

4:44pm December 29, 2020

by Molly Tuttle

Bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice died Christmas day, leaving behind an expansive catalogue devoted to exploring uncharted territory. Guitarist and fan Molly Tuttle picks his essential recordings.

Annye Anderson — stepsister of Robert Johnson — published her memoir Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson in June.

Music & Culture

'Brother Robert' Reveals True Story Of Growing Up With Blues Legend Robert Johnson

3:52pm December 29, 2020

by Ben James

Annye Anderson, the stepsister of Robert Johnson, whose life became a founding myth of American music, has written a memoir about the real life behind the legend.