Charles Lloyd : NPR

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd, performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 23, 2018. Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward

June 23, 2022 • The saxophonist, who began his career in the '70s, has played with notable names like the Beach Boys and Cannonball Adderley. He's still flowing with music.

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward

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Briene Lermitte/Courtesy of the artist

The 2020 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll

January 14, 2021 • The best new and rediscovered jazz recordings that lit up the dark and unsettling year that just ended, as voted on by 148 jazz critics.

At 80, Saxophonist Charles Lloyd Finds Enlightenment in the Groove

This episode of Jazz Night in America features tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd. Dorothy Darr/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

At 80, Saxophonist Charles Lloyd Finds Enlightenment in the Groove

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

December 6, 2018 • In this episode of Jazz Night in America, we get a taste of Lloyd's collaboration with Lucinda Williams, along with choice moments from his recent appearances at Lincoln Center.

At 80, Saxophonist Charles Lloyd Finds Enlightenment in the Groove

58:55

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Charles Lloyd & Lucinda Williams Open Windows To Each Other's Souls

Charles Lloyd & The Marvels + Lucinda Williams have their album, Vanished Gardens, out on June 29. D. Darr/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Charles Lloyd & Lucinda Williams Open Windows To Each Other's Souls

June 21, 2018 • The veteran jazz master teams up with one of America's most cherished songwriters.

'A Pocketful Of Blues': Charles Lloyd On 'Passin' Thru'

Charles Lloyd's new album, Passin' Thru, celebrates the 10th anniversary of his New Quartet. Dorothy Darr/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dorothy Darr/Courtesy of the artist

Review

'A Pocketful Of Blues': Charles Lloyd On 'Passin' Thru'

WBGO

July 14, 2017 • The saxophonist, one of jazz's enlightened elders, reflects in an interview on his latest album with his New Quartet and on remaining in the moment while rifling through his back pages.

'A Pocketful Of Blues': Charles Lloyd On 'Passin' Thru'

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Charles Lloyd, Lucinda Williams Cover Bob Dylan's 'Masters Of War'

Charles Lloyd (left) and Lucinda Williams recorded a live version of "Masters Of War" at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Nov. 28, 2016. Erik Jacobs, Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Erik Jacobs, Ebru Yildiz for NPR

Review

Songs We Love

Charles Lloyd, Lucinda Williams Cover Bob Dylan's 'Masters Of War'

WBGO

January 20, 2017 • Bob Dylan's song is a blunt object, liturgical in its cadence and damning in its censure. The saxophonist and singer tackle it with grace and a small but useful tension.

Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran: Tiny Desk Concert

Tiny Desk Concert with Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran. Brandon Chew/NPR hide caption

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Tiny Desk

Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran: Tiny Desk Concert

June 28, 2016 • In performance together, the venerated saxophonist and the ubiquitous pianist perform three tunes that draw from their past while still looking to the future.

Maria Schneider and Rudresh Mahanthappa share top honors in the 2015 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll. Briene Lermitte/Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Briene Lermitte/Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artists

A Blog Supreme

The 2015 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll

December 21, 2015 • Composer-bandleader Maria Schneider's The Thompson Fields and alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa's Bird Calls tie for top album honors among 147 writers and broadcasters.

Sangam performs at the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival. From left to right: Eric Harland, Zakir Hussain and Charles Lloyd. Erik Jacobs for NPR hide caption

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Erik Jacobs for NPR

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Charles Lloyd's Sangam On JazzSet

WBGO

July 24, 2014 • Charles Lloyd is celebrating his 75th birthday with a new album, Hagar's Song, and concert in the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Charles Lloyd's Sangam On JazzSet

57:59

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Best Music Of 2013

The 2013 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll

December 18, 2013 • We asked 137 jazz journalists to pick their favorite albums that came out this year. Out of over 700 nominees, here are their collective top 50 picks, along with top finishers in the Latin jazz, vocal, debut and reissue categories.

The 'Singing Sound' Of Saxophonist Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd, 75, continues to tour widely. Dorothy Darr/ECM Records hide caption

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Dorothy Darr/ECM Records

Music News

The 'Singing Sound' Of Saxophonist Charles Lloyd

March 15, 2013 • Lloyd led a jazz quartet into The Fillmore, San Francisco's legendary rock venue, in the 1960s. He backed Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King and hit the road with The Beach Boys. The charismatic musician is 75 this week.

The 'Singing Sound' Of Saxophonist Charles Lloyd

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75 Years Of Charles Lloyd, Jazz's Spirit Warrior

Charles Lloyd performs with pianist Jason Moran in Munich in early 2013. Dorothy Darr/ECM Records hide caption

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Dorothy Darr/ECM Records

June 25, 2006 • The Sangam Trio melds the musical traditions of American jazz with East Indian influence. The group made its New York debut this past week. Two members of the trio — jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd and Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, join host Debbie Elliott for a performance.

Sangam Gives Traditional Music a New Direction

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Jack DeJohnette: 70 Years Of Propulsive, Percussive Mastery

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A Blog Supreme

Jack DeJohnette: 70 Years Of Propulsive, Percussive Mastery

Jazz24

May 31, 2012 • The great jazz drummer is celebrating his eighth decade all year by touring the world and releasing a new album. Here are five songs, from 1966 to the present day, which showcase DeJohnette at the top of his powers.

Charles Lloyd's Sangam: Newport Jazz 2011

Charles Lloyd performs on the Fort Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival. Erik Jacobs for NPR hide caption

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Concerts

Charles Lloyd's Sangam: Newport Jazz 2011

August 8, 2011 • Hear Charles Lloyd, Indian-born tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and drumming phenom Eric Harland.

Listen Now: Charles Lloyd's Sangam In Concert

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Review

Music Reviews

Sax Ace Charles Lloyd: 'Jumping the Creek'

April 11, 2005 • Day to Day music critic David Was reviews the new recording by 67-year-old veteran saxophonist Charles Lloyd, Jumping the Creek.

Sax Ace Charles Lloyd: 'Jumping the Creek'

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Music Interviews

Saxophone King

May 5, 2003 • Correspondent Tony Cox talks to jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd about Lloyd's life and his music.

Saxophone King

Only Available in Archive Formats.

Music Interviews

Charles Lloyd

April 20, 2003 • Tenor saxophonist and flutist Charles Lloyd has traveled a long road since his childhood in Memphis where as a teenager he played with the likes of B.B. King and Howlin' Wolf. He built a reputation as the next jazz star of the 1960s on both coasts. Then he fled the limelight for the solitude of the woods and a spiritual quest. On his latest recording, Lloyd and his group try to respond to immense tragedy. NPR's Tom Cole has a profile of Lloyd.

Charles Lloyd

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Review

Music Reviews

Two New Jazz CDs

October 10, 2001 • Charles de Ledesma reviews two new modern jazz releases. The first is Hyperion with Higgins, by Charles Lloyd, who plays the tenor saxophone. He has dedicated his album to the late Billy Higgins, who played drums with Lloyd. The second album is Not for Nothin, by the Dave Holland Quintet. Ledesma says both albums reinforce that modern jazz is still a potent creative musical force.
Both CDs are from the record label ECM.

Two New Jazz CDs

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