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Home» Jazz » NPR Music

Duke Ellington: Highlights Of His Twilight

Posted on May 23, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Duke Ellington: Highlights Of His Twilight

The great composer and bandleader was distraught over the 1967 death of Billy Strayhorn, his songwriting and arranging partner of 28 years. But Ellington took Strayhorn’s passing as an impetus, born of necessity, to increase his own productivity. Here are five examples.

Chris Potter Quartet On JazzSet

Posted on May 23, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Chris Potter Quartet On JazzSet

At the Village Vanguard, one flight down from the hubbub of New York City, in a tight space packed with people, we’re about to embark on a musical odyssey by sea. Our captain is saxophonist Chris Potter, who’s launching his Odyssey-inspired album The Sirens.

Pat Metheny And John Zorn: A Vivid Sound World

Posted on May 21, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Pat Metheny And John Zorn: A Vivid Sound World

The two artists are known opposites in the world of instrumental music. On Metheny’s latest, the jazz guitarist wrings an unexpectedly visual listening experience from Zorn’s knotty compositions.

Sarah Vaughan: A New Box Set Revels In Glorious Imperfections

Posted on May 20, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Sarah Vaughan: A New Box Set Revels In Glorious Imperfections

Divine: The Jazz Albums, 1954-1958 packs four CDs with Vaughan’s music, recorded live or in the studio with bands big and small. Two live albums from Chicago nightclubs are standouts, partly when a performance threatens to slide off the rails.

Rudresh Mahanthappa On Piano Jazz

Posted on May 17, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Rudresh Mahanthappa On Piano Jazz

Mahanthappa brings an explosive blend of jazz and South Indian classical music to the studio.

Edmar Castañeda And Friends On JazzSet

Posted on May 16, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Edmar Castañeda And Friends On JazzSet

Hear passionate improvisation across borders on Colombian harp, Argentinian bandoneón, Venezuelan cuatro and vibes from the U.S. In a passionate set with Castañeda, his trio and special guests perform at the Americas Society in New York.

Woody Herman At 100: ‘A Blues Player From His Heart’

Posted on May 16, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Woody Herman At 100: ‘A Blues Player From His Heart’

He was a soulful reedman, an amazing talent scout for decades and a bandleader of one of the country’s most popular acts. Born in 1913, Herman led “Thundering Herds” that were both big draws and well-respected by the likes of Igor Stravinsky. Here are five recordings which still sound fresh today.

Gregory Porter: A Lion In The Subway

Posted on May 14, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Gregory Porter: A Lion In The Subway

In the arts mecca of New York City, subway buskers are often overqualified. But they’re not usually world-class jazz singers with the lungs and charisma of old-school soul stars. Accompanied only by a pianist, Porter performs “Be Good (Lion’s Song)” on a vintage subway car in downtown Brooklyn.

Balancing Influences: Saxophonist Mahanthappa Blends Styles

Posted on May 12, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Balancing Influences: Saxophonist Mahanthappa Blends Styles

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s work always seems to be filed under jazz, but it’s hard to find a style he doesn’t touch: hip-hop, country, metal and soul fused with traditional sounds from India, Africa and Indonesia. And he makes it rock.

A DIY Guide To The History Of Women In Jazz

Posted on May 10, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
A DIY Guide To The History Of Women In Jazz

“Women in Jazz Day” officially hits New York City Friday, complete with a new documentary on the subject. While the celebration is deserving, it remains incomplete, commentator Lara Pellegrinelli says. She lists many more resources on the subject — on film, print and wax.

Jane Monheit On Piano Jazz

Posted on May 10, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Jane Monheit On Piano Jazz

Marian McPartland accompanies the vocalist on music from the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and more.

Donny McCaslin On Piano Jazz

Posted on May 10, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Donny McCaslin On Piano Jazz

The tenor saxophonist plays “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “All the Things You Are” with host Jon Weber.

Sexmob: Live From 92Y Tribeca

Posted on May 9, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Sexmob: Live From 92Y Tribeca

The quartet specializes in a distinct strain of deconstructionist improvised music: jazz that aims at fun by bouncing off the walls. Led by slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein, the band parties to the themes of spaghetti western film composer Nino Rota.

Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Septet On JazzSet

Posted on May 9, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Septet On JazzSet

Palmieri plays the whole piano, and he’s not shy about throwing an elbow or forearm to get the effect he needs. As a 2013 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the piano original plays The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

A Look Back At Jazz Fest, Where Ages Were Made

Posted on May 8, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
A Look Back At Jazz Fest, Where Ages Were Made

At the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, every sort of performer was welcome. But the festival grounds were at the center of a much wider celebration of Louisiana music that continued during, around and after the last two weekends.

Phil Woods On Piano Jazz

Posted on May 3, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Phil Woods On Piano Jazz

Saxophonist Phil Woods is a true master of all things bop. He’s been one of the top alto players since his debut in the mid-1950s, and he’s been called the musical heir to Charlie Parker. In this session from 2003, Woods joins host Marian McPartland, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin in “How About You” and “Fine and Dandy.”

SFJAZZ Center Opening Night On JazzSet

Posted on May 2, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
SFJAZZ Center Opening Night On JazzSet

On opening night at San Francisco’s newly constructed, free-standing building designed for and dedicated to jazz, fans filled the stunning Robert N. Miner Auditorium at the SFJAZZ Center for a maiden voyage and festive concert.

Sexmob + Boom Tic Boom: Live From 92Y Tribeca

Posted on May 2, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Sexmob + Boom Tic Boom: Live From 92Y Tribeca

The trumpeter Steven Bernstein picks up the slide trumpet with the quartet Sexmob and conjures a repertoire that ranges from James Bond themes to the Macarena. They’re preceded by drummer Allison Miller, whose jaunty tunes set the stage. Watch a live concert from New York.

Miguel Zenón Quartet: Live At The Village Vanguard

Posted on May 2, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Miguel Zenón Quartet: Live At The Village Vanguard

Ever since he started becoming one of the best alto saxophone players in the world, Zenón has drawn influence from his upbringing in Puerto Rico. But, like many Puerto Ricans, Zenón lives in New York — and his stunning quartet has finally been invited to play a home date at the Vanguard.

Meet The Man Who Assembles The World’s Biggest Jazz Concert

Posted on April 30, 2013 by NPR Music in NPR Music
Meet The Man Who Assembles The World’s Biggest Jazz Concert

Pianist and composer John Beasley isn’t exactly a household name. But he’s now been tapped twice to direct many of them during the star-studded International Jazz Day concert. So is it difficult to play “jazz police” in an ancient church in Istanbul?

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