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The 2020 Jazz Critics Poll: It's After The End Of The World

Pedal steel player Susan Alcorn, whose album with her quintet, Pedernal, was the pick for the best album of the year by Francis Davis, who runs the annual NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll. David Lobato/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Lobato/Courtesy of the artist

Best Music Of 2020

The 2020 Jazz Critics Poll: It's After The End Of The World

2020 was an annus horribilis if there ever was one, writes Francis Davis, the founder of NPR Music's Jazz Critics poll, and much of the year's best jazz carried post-apocalyptic feelings within it.

New Music Friday: The Top Ten Albums Out July 10

The late rapper Juice WRLD. His posthumous full-length, Legends Never Die, tops our list of the best new albums out this week. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top Ten Albums Out July 10

The best new albums out this week include the first posthumous full-length from the late rapper Juice Wrld, singer Margo Price's best record yet, the return of Rufus Wainwright and more.

July 10, 2020

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NPR Music's 25 Favorite Albums Of 2014 (So Far)
Colin Marshall/NPR

Music Lists

NPR Music's 25 Favorite Albums Of 2014 (So Far)

A selection of 25 deep, joyful, rewarding albums from every genre, out of every corner of the world, from the first six months months of 2014, picked by NPR Music.

01Vengo

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    Song
    Vengo
    Album
    Vengo
    Artist
    Ana Tijoux
    Label
    Nacional
    Released
    2014

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First Listen: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, 'Landmarks'

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band's new album, Landmarks, comes out April 29. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, 'Landmarks'

One of the world's best jazz drummers is also a singer-songwriter, session man for Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and the son of a preacher man. It's all potently distilled for his band of over 15 years.

Landmarks

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.
First Listen: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, 'Landmarks'

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band's new album, Landmarks, comes out April 29. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, 'Landmarks'

One of the world's best jazz drummers is also a singer-songwriter, session man for Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and the son of a preacher man. It's all potently distilled for his band of over 15 years.

Landmarks

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Concerts

Brian Blade Finds Fellowship At Vanguard

WBGO

Brian Blade, a reed of a man, sits up straight at his drums, lifting a shoulder. Born in 1970 in Shreveport, La., his father has been the pastor of the Zion Baptist Church there for almost 50 years. The dedication that started in church has expanded in the Fellowship Band, which plays a second set from the Village Vanguard.

Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band in Concert on JazzSet

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Review

Song Of The Day

Brian Blade Fellowship: Open-Sky Music

WBGO

"Return of the Prodigal Son," like the parable from which it draws its name, is a homecoming story. Eight years have passed since Brian Blade Fellowship's last release, and during that time, Blade himself has been more prodigious than prodigal.

Return of the Prodigal Son

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First Listen: Black Dub, 'Black Dub'

Brian Blade, Daniel Lanois, Trixie Whitley and Daryl Johnson perform as Black Dub. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Black Dub, 'Black Dub'

KCRW

With his new project, Black Dub, Lanois brings together a deeply connected collective of musicians. Renowned Louisiana bass player Daryl Johnson and New Orleans virtuoso drummer Brian Blade are longtime Lanois collaborators, while young Trixie Whitley, provides the spiritual continuum.

Favorite Sessions

Daniel Lanois: Expansive Pedal Steel

KUT 90.5

Performing with Brian Blade, one of jazz's most accomplished and remarkable drummers, Daniel Lanois brought plenty of gravitas to KUT's small vintage studio. His gentle relationship with the pedal-steel guitar astounded a small group that gathered to watch his interview and performance.

Daniel Lanois and Brian Blade in Studio on KUT 3/15/08

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Brian Blade: Live at the Village Vanguard

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Live At The Village Vanguard

Brian Blade: Live at the Village Vanguard

WBGO

Widely recognized as one of the finest drummers in modern jazz — or in all of popular music, for that matter — Blade leads his celebrated Fellowship Band, fresh off their first recording in years.

Bang Your Drum

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