Jazz http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10002&ft=1&f=10002 Jazz and blues music performances and features from NPR news, NPR cultural programs, and NPR Music stations. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Jazz http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10002&ft=1&f=10002 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. Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185824573/pat-metheny-and-john-zorn-a-vivid-sound-world?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185824573/pat-metheny-and-john-zorn-a-vivid-sound-world?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> Sarah Vaughan: A New Box Set Revels In Glorious Imperfections <em>Divine: The Jazz Albums, 1954-1958</em> 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. Mon, 20 May 2013 12:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/179869404/sarah-vaughan-a-new-box-set-revels-in-glorious-imperfections?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/179869404/sarah-vaughan-a-new-box-set-revels-in-glorious-imperfections?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> Rudresh Mahanthappa On Piano Jazz Mahanthappa brings an explosive blend of jazz and South Indian classical music to the studio. Fri, 17 May 2013 14:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184783995/rudresh-mahanthappa-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184783995/rudresh-mahanthappa-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 Mahanthappa brings an explosive blend of jazz and South Indian classical music to the studio.

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]]> Grady Tate On Piano Jazz Grady Tate began his jazz career as a much-celebrated drummer, backing such icons as Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, and Quincy Jones. Tate has since traded in his skins for a microphone at center stage, where he delivers smooth and soulful baritone vocals. With pianist John di Martino, Tate sings "Everybody Loves My Baby" and "Where Do You Start." Fri, 17 May 2013 09:27:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/03/104700016/grady-tate-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/03/104700016/grady-tate-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 Grady Tate began his jazz career as a much-celebrated drummer, backing such icons as Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, and Quincy Jones. Tate has since traded in his skins for a microphone at center stage, where he delivers smooth and soulful baritone vocals. With pianist John di Martino, Tate sings "Everybody Loves My Baby" and "Where Do You Start."

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]]> 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. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/05/16/184545498/woody-herman-at-100-a-blues-player-from-his-heart?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/05/16/184545498/woody-herman-at-100-a-blues-player-from-his-heart?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> 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 set with Castañeda, his trio and special guests perform at the Americas Society in New York. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/184518578/edmar-casta-eda-and-friends-on-jazzset?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/event/music/184518578/edmar-casta-eda-and-friends-on-jazzset?ft=1&f=10002 Hear passionate improvisation across borders on Colombian harp, Argentinian bandoneón, Venezuelan cuatro and vibes from the U.S. In a set with Castañeda, his trio and special guests perform at the Americas Society in New York.

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]]> 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 from his upbringing in Puerto Rico. But, like many Puerto Ricans, Zenón lives in New York — where his quartet of 10 years has finally been invited to play the Vanguard. It presents new music in concert. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/180436658/miguel-zen-n-quartet-live-at-the-village-vanguard?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/event/music/180436658/miguel-zen-n-quartet-live-at-the-village-vanguard?ft=1&f=10002 Ever since he started becoming one of the best alto saxophone players in the world, Zenón has drawn from his upbringing in Puerto Rico. But, like many Puerto Ricans, Zenón lives in New York — where his quartet of 10 years has finally been invited to play the Vanguard. It presents new music in concert.

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]]> 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. Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182848660/gregory-porter-a-lion-in-the-subway?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182848660/gregory-porter-a-lion-in-the-subway?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> 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. Sun, 12 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182956820/balancing-influences-saxophonist-mahanthappa-blends-styles?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182956820/balancing-influences-saxophonist-mahanthappa-blends-styles?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> 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. Fri, 10 May 2013 14:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/05/10/182885860/a-diy-guide-to-the-history-of-women-in-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/05/10/182885860/a-diy-guide-to-the-history-of-women-in-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 "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.

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]]> Jane Monheit On Piano Jazz Marian McPartland accompanies the vocalist on music from the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and more. Fri, 10 May 2013 12:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182860914/jane-monheit-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182860914/jane-monheit-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 Marian McPartland accompanies the vocalist on music from the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and more.

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]]> Are There Mistakes In Jazz? What is a mistake? By going through examples with his improvisational jazz quartet, Stefon Harris gets to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately. Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/174035745/are-there-mistakes-in-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/174035745/are-there-mistakes-in-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 What is a mistake? By going through examples with his improvisational jazz quartet, Stefon Harris gets to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.

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]]> Donny McCaslin On Piano Jazz The tenor saxophonist plays "Take the 'A' Train" and "All the Things You Are" with host Jon Weber. Fri, 10 May 2013 11:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182857258/donny-mccaslin-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182857258/donny-mccaslin-on-piano-jazz?ft=1&f=10002 The tenor saxophonist plays "Take the 'A' Train" and "All the Things You Are" with host Jon Weber.

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]]> 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. Thu, 09 May 2013 17:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182462927/sexmob-live-from-92y-tribeca?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182462927/sexmob-live-from-92y-tribeca?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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]]> 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. Thu, 09 May 2013 15:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182640431/eddie-palmieris-latin-jazz-septet-on-jazzset?ft=1&f=10002 http://www.npr.org/event/music/182640431/eddie-palmieris-latin-jazz-septet-on-jazzset?ft=1&f=10002 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.

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