-
For centuries, the country turned its back on black musicians — including the jazz artists whose creations embodied freedom and empowerment. Today, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is one of Africa's largest musical gatherings. Here are five musicians who played the festival this year.
-
Two treasures of Nashville's Americana scene play songs from their collaborative album, Buddy & Jim.
-
From the radiant voices of a Latvian choir to a fresh young string quartet and a seasoned symphony, NPR's Tom Huizenga and host Jacki Lyden spin an eclectic mix of new classical releases.
-
The country's jazz scene is young, but it's hit the world stage quickly thanks in large part to public funding. For Norwegian musicians, it literally pays to dream big — and to write lots of grant applications.
-
One of the most popular bands in all of Mexico takes the stage at Stubb's in Austin for NPR Music's SXSW showcase. Watch singer Rubén Albarrán and Café Tacvba perform songs from their new album.
-
Hear one of America's finest young pianists and an emerging English string quartet play music by visionary composer Robert Schumann, as well as music by Mozart and artists Schumann influenced.
-
Corea's "Spain" has an epic quality to it. At the opening night of the SFJAZZ Center, he guest solos in a new arrangement of the piece with a house band made up of all-stars.
-
Morning Edition checks in with the singer-songwriter as she finishes the follow-up to 2009's Middle Cyclone, due out later this year.
-
Winter Morning Walks, an album featuring jazz composer Maria Schneider and soprano Dawn Upshaw, revolves around meditations on nature and beauty by former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. All three artists have had battles with cancer — when, Schneider says, "everything in life becomes heightened."
-
Classically trained Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf has played with everyone from Sting to Salif Keita. While most trumpets have three valves, his has four, allowing him to play the quarter-tones that characterize Middle Eastern music and the "blue notes" of jazz.