Music

Henry Grimes performs in New York in 2003. Grimes died on April 15 at the age of 84, of complications from coronavirus.

Music & Culture

A Month To Celebrate Jazz, Turned Tragic

7:02am April 30, 2020

by Nate Chinen

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, but in 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that cost the jazz community many elders and working musicians, the phrase "appreciation" took a darker cast.

Megan Thee Stallion plays a Tiny Desk Concert (Laura Beltran Villamizar/NPR).

Music & Culture

Beyoncé Joins Megan Thee Stallion On The Delightfully Braggadocious 'Savage (Remix)'

7:21pm April 29, 2020

by Cyrena Touros

The remix comes two months after Megan fought her label for the right to release new music, which culminated in the surprise release of her third mixtape, Suga.

Bernice was Glenn Copeland's choice of an artist he's thankful for in All Things Considered's series Play it Forward. In this edition, Bernice's lead singer Robin Dann chooses Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Music & Culture

Play It Forward: Bernice's Robin Dann On Writing Music With A Sense Of Surprise

6:08pm April 29, 2020

In the third episode of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro interviews Robin Dann of the Canadian band, Bernice. She talks about redefining success and how the freedom of jazz informs her music.

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Irish American musician Séamus Egan is featured in this week's show.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Spring Sounds

1:45pm April 29, 2020

As we work through the challenges of our times, let a new spring tide of recordings carry you along.

Daughter of Swords plays a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

Daughter Of Swords: Tiny Desk Concert

1:25pm April 29, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

Alexandra Sauser-Monnig returns to the Tiny Desk with her band Daughter of Swords, showcasing new music as well as songs from 2019's gorgeous Dawnbreaker album.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April.

Music & Culture

Stream These Virtual Events To Celebrate International Jazz Day On April 30

12:00pm April 29, 2020

by Trevor Smith

On April 30, the global jazz community will celebrate International Jazz Day with an expert panel and a global concert featuring pianist Lang Lang, bassist Marcus Miller and more.

Music & Culture

Our Daily Breather: Steve Aoki's Quarantine Workout Routine

10:00am April 29, 2020

by Steve Aoki

In Our Daily Breather, we ask writers and artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Producer and DJ Steve Aoki shares the workout routine that's helping him.

Music & Culture

How Ashley McBryde's New Puppy Is Helping Her Stay Sane During The Pandemic

7:06pm April 28, 2020

by Ashley McBryde

In Our Daily Breather, we ask artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Ashley McBryde has been coping with the help of her new puppy.

An undated portrait of the cellist Lynn Harrell. Harrell died Monday at age 76.

Cellist Lynn Harrell Has Died, Age 76

5:54pm April 28, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The Grammy-winning American cellist had a wide-ranging career that spanned Bach to new music written by Augusta Read Thomas. His colleagues also treasured him as a generous musical collaborator.

New Kids on the Block's "House Party," featuring Boyz II Men, Big Freedia, Jordin Sparks and Naughty by Nature, is just one of the coronavirus quarantine-inspired songs released over the past months.

Music & Culture

From The Urgent To The Absurd, Musicians Take On The Coronavirus Through Song

4:43pm April 28, 2020

Many musicians canceled tours and delayed album releases due to the pandemic. But some are now using home recording setups and streaming services to write and publish songs about the coronavirus.

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