Music

Mary Lou Williams in 1942. In the 1930s and '40s, her apartment on 63 Hamilton Terrace formed an important space in advancing the evolution of jazz and the survival of musicians.

Music & Culture

A Woman's Place: The Importance Of Mary Lou Williams' Harlem Apartment

10:48am September 12, 2019

by Tammy Kernodle

From the outside, Williams' home looked like a typical Harlem brownstone. But inside, a generation of young artists etched out a radical agenda that would shift the music world off its axis.

R.E.M.'s Mike Mills (left) and Michael Stipe performing in 2004.

Music & Culture

R.E.M. Releases A Single From The Vaults To Benefit Hurricane Dorian Victims

10:38am September 12, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

Originally written for the 2001 album Reveal, this 2004 version was recorded in Nassau, Bahamas.

Music & Culture

The Milk Carton Kids On Mountain Stage

10:00am September 12, 2019

by Dave Lavender

Playing songs off their album, All The Things That I Did and All The Things That I Didn't Do, Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan prove two voices and two guitars can make a one-band folk revival.

Music & Culture

Angel Olsen's 'Lark' Finds Tenderness In A Torrent

9:00am September 12, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

Angel Olsen has become a master of characters who ache to move forward, but are pulled to an ever-present past.

Watch Brandi Carlile perform at the 2019 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony.

Music & Culture

Watch A Live Webcast Of The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony

11:23pm September 11, 2019

by Bruce Warren

Hosted by The Milk Carton Kids with performances and appearances by Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello and more, the ceremony kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Singer, songwriter and visual artist Daniel Johnston performs in Austin, Texas, in 2005. Johnston died on Wednesday.

Music & Culture

Daniel Johnston, Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter, Dies At 58

9:48pm September 11, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The outsider musician struggled with mental health issues throughout his adult life but found devoted fans, including major rock stars. He was found dead at his Texas home this morning.

Jazz helped Mary Lou Williams stay alive — but after several draining decades as a musician, she quit the scene. When she returned, she claimed her true power as one of jazz's fiercest advocates.

Music & Culture

Mary Lou Williams, Missionary Of Jazz

4:25pm September 11, 2019

by Jenny Gathright

In 1954, after several draining decades as a jazz composer, performer and mentor, Mary Lou Williams quit. When she returned, she claimed her true power as one of jazz's fiercest advocates.

Music & Culture

R&B Star Raphael Saadiq Explores Addiction And Loss In 'Jimmy Lee'

3:50pm September 11, 2019

The former Tony! Toni! Toné! singer confronts dark memories to create his first solo album in eight years.

The Shivas. From left: Jeff Schultz, Jared Molyneux, Kristin Leonard and Eric Shanafelt.

Music & Culture

Station Breaks: 15 New Songs From NPR Music Stations

2:40pm September 11, 2019

Discover an experimental hip-hop trio and an infectious combination of new wave, disco and indie rock. Oh, and actor Jeremy Renner launches his music career with a new song.

Sampa The Great's debut studio album, The Return, will be released Sep. 13.

Music & Culture

Sampa The Great Finds Her Place

12:39pm September 11, 2019

by Dhruva Balram

Sampa The Great has followed a long — literally, as in criss-crossing the world — road on her way to developing and refining a singular, stunning voice. "Now, I'm like, let's go," she tells NPR Music.