Music

Music & Culture

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Suddenly Cancels Summer Season

12:17pm May 31, 2019

by Tom Huizenga

The financially embattled organization surprised its musicians, and its audience, by shortening its season and cutting the players pay and vacation, it announced Thursday.

Koffee's "Rapture" remix pours the gasoline of adrenaline onto an already fire track.

Music & Culture

Koffee Takes Her 'Rapture' To The Streets With New Remix

9:29am May 31, 2019

by Sidney Madden

The rising teenage reggae star reinvigorates her single "Rapture" with a guest verse from Govana.

Members of the New York Philharmonic, led by music director Alan Gilbert, during the opening of a new season on September 21, 2016 in New York.

Music & Culture

America's Largest Musicians' Union Announces Pension Cuts

9:02am May 31, 2019

by Jeff Lunden

The American Federation of Musicians' fund will reduce benefits for an estimated 20,000 of its 80,000 members due to stresses caused by the 2008 financial crisis — and a steadily aging membership.

Rodney Crowell (credit: Greg Ross), The War & Treaty (credit: David McClister), Lillie Mae (credit: Laura Partain)

Music & Culture

Watch Performances From WMOT Roots Radio's 895 Fest

8:01am May 31, 2019

by Rich McKie

It's a celebration of WMOT Roots Radio's friends, neighbors, heroes and legends over two days, including sets by Rodney Crowell, The War & Treaty, Lillie Mae and more!

R&B singer Raveena. Her new album, Lucid, is on our shortlist of the best new albums out on May 31.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday: Our Top 6 Albums Out On May 31

5:00am May 31, 2019

Our list of the best new albums out this week includes Kishi Bashi's moving remembrance of Japanese internment camps during World War II, R&B singer Raveena, solo piano from Eluvium, Skepta and more.

Queue Listen Now

Lucia Lucas, with cast mate Hidenori Inoue, in a dress rehearsal for the Tulsa Opera's 2019 Don Giovanni production.

Music & Culture

'They Know That I'm The Real Deal': Transgender Baritone Makes Opera History

10:51pm May 30, 2019

In her U.S. debut as Don Giovanni, Lucia Lucas became the first known trans person to sing a principal role on an American opera stage.

Queue Listen Now

Singer R. Kelly, appearing at a court hearing in Chicago on May 7.

Music & Culture

R. Kelly Indicted On New Sexual Assault And Abuse Charges

7:06pm May 30, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The charges filed Thursday in Cook County, Ill. are more serious than those filed against the singer in February. Four of the charges each carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

Leon Redbone performs on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on April 24, 1991.

Music & Culture

Leon Redbone, An Unusual Singer From A Bygone Era, Has Died

5:33pm May 30, 2019

by Andrew Flanagan

Redbone's career was defined by biographical mystery and a musical ear obsessed with the sounds of yesteryear. He also sang the theme to Mr. Belvedere.

Music & Culture

Watch 'Still Ill,' A Short Beastie Boys Documentary Celebrating 'Ill Communication'

4:35pm May 30, 2019

by Stephen Thompson

The band had many highs and lows in its early career, but 1994's Ill Communication brought it to another level. For its 25th anniversary, Beastie Boys' surviving members discuss the album.

LADAMA performs a Tiny Desk Concert on April 11, 2019 (Amr Alfiky/NPR).

Music & Culture

LADAMA: Tiny Desk Concert

3:36pm May 30, 2019

by Felix Contreras

The group unites sounds from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, with a dash of New York City thrown in.