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On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premiered on television. In 1995, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz spoke with NPR's Bob Edwards on Morning Edition.

Vocal virtuoso Marlena Shaw found personal and critical success in jazz, R&B, soul and disco. She died this year at 84.

The life of Willie "The Lion" Smith was the stuff of legend, but his music backs up his boasts.

The flute is one of the oldest known instruments, but it gets little respect. It's mostly known for schmaltzy concert recordings and one particular comedic movie reference. Luckily, the sheer virtuosic force of many jazz artists has lent a cool factor to the much-maligned instrument. Here are five of jazz's best flutists in action.

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday when everybody is Irish: wearing at least a splash of green, getting together with friends for a pint or a party, and so on. To celebrate the day, here are some jazz songs that wear the green, at least in their titles, as well as musical tributes to Ireland.

As the British Invasion changed the landscape of the music industry, jazz musicians had to adapt to popular music written by the bands themselves instead of hired songwriters.

Trombone Shorty releases new album from New Orleans, a tribute to the city's soul, marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Many younger artists are making a strong case to be the future of the genre — and the future looks bright. All but three musicians on Shaunna Morrison Machosky's Top 10 list are under the age of 40, and they all brush aside any notion of jazz being in a rut.

A key figure in Latin jazz, percussionist Pete Escovedo's musical roots are also based in R&B, funk, salsa and contemporary styles. His family of musicians are carrying on the legacy of Escovedo percussionists.

Pascoal said he had composed thousands of pieces. "I am 100 percent intuitive," he once told NPR. Miles Davis called him one of the most important musicians in the world.