Music

Music & Culture

Bob Boilen's Top 10 Albums Of 2020

11:47am December 29, 2020

by Bob Boilen

Isolation and the disappearance of live music changed the All Songs Considered host's listening habits drastically in 2020. These albums offered not just calm, but richness and depth to explore.

Linda Diaz, winner of the 2020 Tiny Desk Contest, performed one of NPR Music's favorite Tiny Desk (home) concerts of the year.

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Staffers Pick Their Favorite Tiny Desk (Home) Concerts

7:01am December 29, 2020

The minds behind NPR Music's Tiny Desk present their favorite home concerts of 2020, from Buscabulla to Billie Eilish.

Music & Culture

James Newton Howard: A Composer Who Can Do It All

3:45pm December 28, 2020

by Tim Greiving

James Newton Howard has composed the music for more than 100 films. He's scored thrillers, Disney animation and big fantasy series. His latest is the western News of the World.

Alicia Keys performed her Tiny Desk concert on Feb. 2, 2020.

Music & Culture

The Best Tiny Desk Concerts Of 2020

10:52am December 28, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

Watch 20 of the year's greatest Tiny Desk performances, featuring a small sample of the talented artists who delivered intimate sets from NPR Music's D.C. offices.

The Jazz Gallery All-Stars perform live from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C..

Music & Culture

Toast Of The Nation 2021

10:29am December 28, 2020

by Suraya Mohamed

Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with live music from some of the best jazz groups performing today, featuring the Catherine Russell Trio, Pink Martini, KOKOROKO and the Jazz Gallery All-Stars.

Music & Culture

Tony Rice, A Giant Of The Acoustic Guitar, Dead At 69

7:33pm December 27, 2020

by Tom Cole

Tony Rice first gained attention as a member of J.D. Crowe's boundary-pushing New South. Rice took it even further in the David Grisman Quintet. But the road took a toll on Rice.

Music & Culture

As Coronavirus Put Live Music Events On Hold, A Texas Artist Looked To The Internet

5:00pm December 27, 2020

NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez about her pandemic online project, "A Song for You."

Music & Culture

This Denver Bar Once Welcomed Frank Sinatra And Jack Kerouac. Now It's Closed

10:23am December 26, 2020

by Monica Castillo

The legendary El Chapultepec has closed after 87 years in business — not only because of the pandemic, but also because Denver has changed.

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Music & Culture

M. Ward's New Album Offers His Take On Billie Holiday's 'Lady In Satin'

8:03am December 26, 2020

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with singer-songwriter M. Ward about his new album of Billie Holiday covers, "Think of Spring." He uses an acoustic guitar to bring a folk approach to Holiday's jazz songs.

Music & Culture

How To Stay Human: Jon Batiste Talks With Lara Downes

5:00am December 26, 2020

by Lara Downes

The renowned musician and Late Show bandleader has sage advice on everything from finding your north star and owning your own orbit to honoring lineage.