Jazz & Blues Music Videos

A lot of talented artists pass by Bob Boilen's desk. But this was the first time that NPR Music was serenaded by a trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba and truncated drum kit playing a Rufus Wainwright cover (and several clever originals) in rich, soulful polyphony.

He's been wowing audiences since he was barely able to walk. But, fed up with the standard jazz career path, Lewis — or ELEW, as he calls his latest musical identity — has embraced a new repertoire: rock songs. He performs live at NPR.

Sir Tom Jones, a full-throated legend among legends, wasn't an obvious choice for a Tiny Desk concert. When we began the series last year, the goal was to bring in quieter, more intimate artists (Laura Gibson, Vic Chesnutt) who are often drowned out by the clinking glasses and chatter of the small clubs they play. When a publicist for Tom Jones contacted us and said the singer wanted to do a "Big Desk Concert" for us, the thought of Jones' substantial voice filling our office left us laughing — and dying to do it.

Legendary folksinger Odetta visited Mountain Stage seven times during her highly influential, 50-year career. Today's Mountain Stage features video of an interview and set she did in 2006 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn./Va. Odetta died on Dec. 2, but her powerful voice and graceful character live on through the countless people she inspired, including fellow musicians Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin.

Last week, host Andrea Seabrook asked listeners to send in home recordings and photographs of their oddest musical instrument. The responses were eclectic, and some were indeed strange. Here is a smattering of some of the more interesting instrument descriptions from listeners.

Bonneville's songs are full of characters who stumble their way through a rough-and-tumble world of violence, hope, and despair. In four videos from Folk Alley, Bonneville stomps his cowboy boots on a piece of wood and tells his stories.

The soulful singer-songwriter talks about her new album, The Orchard, during a studio performance chat. Wright opens up about her music, her life, and what's next for her recording career.