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Gwen Thompkins
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Gwen Thompkins

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Tuesday

ÌFÉ explores the distance between the seen and the unseen worlds

ÌFÉ Trenity Thomas/Courtesy of the artst hide caption

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Trenity Thomas/Courtesy of the artst

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

ÌFÉ explores the distance between the seen and the unseen worlds

WXPN

As Otura Mun's connections to Afro-Cuban rhythms have deepened, so has his commitment to Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions. Hear a live performance.

Courtesy of the artist

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Thursday

Wednesday

Merry Clayton On 'Beautiful Scars' And A Life Of Singing

Merry Clayton Mathieu Bitton/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mathieu Bitton/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Merry Clayton On 'Beautiful Scars' And A Life Of Singing

WXPN

In the late 1960s, Merry Clayton was one of the most sought after backup singers. Her new album, released in April of this year, is called Beautiful Scars.

Merry Clayton on World Cafe

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Wednesday

Wednesday

Rickie Lee Jones Shares The Soundtrack To Her Youth

Rickie Lee Jones and Tom Waits as seen in Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour. Sal Sdestro/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sal Sdestro/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Rickie Lee Jones Shares The Soundtrack To Her Youth

WXPN

Rickie Lee Jones opens up about the stories and characters of her own story in her new memoir.

Rickie Lee Jones on World Cafe

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Thursday

The Revivalists' David Shaw Performs Songs From His Solo Album

David Shaw Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Revivalists' David Shaw Performs Songs From His Solo Album

WXPN

Get a preview of songs from Shaw's upcoming solo album in this interview with World Cafe New Orleans correspondent Gwen Thompkins.

David Shaw on World Cafe

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Monday

Dumpstaphunk Captures What Nasty, Funky Sound Is All About

Dumstaphunk Jeff Farsai/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jeff Farsai/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Dumpstaphunk Captures What Nasty, Funky Sound Is All About

WXPN

Led by Ivan Neville, son of Aaron Neville, Dumpstaphunk's songs combine good times and a sweaty sensuality with social and political commentary.

Dumpstaphunk On World Cafe

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Sunday

Carol Sutton, New Orleans Star Known For Role In 'Steel Magnolias,' Dies At 76

Carol Sutton arrives at the World Premiere of "Poms" on May 1, 2019, in Los Angeles. Sutton died this past week at the age of 76 — more than a month after contracting the coronavirus. Willy Sanjuan/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP hide caption

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Willy Sanjuan/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Obituaries

Carol Sutton, New Orleans Star Known For Role In 'Steel Magnolias,' Dies At 76

Sutton, who appeared in more than 100 movies, plays and television shows over a career that spanned almost 50 years, died this past week of complications from the coronavirus.

Wednesday

Big Chiefs Of Rival Mardi Gras Tribes Come Together As The 79rs Gang

79rs Gangs - Jermain Bossier (left) and Romeo Bougere (right) Diwang Valdez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Diwang Valdez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Big Chiefs Of Rival Mardi Gras Tribes Come Together As The 79rs Gang

WXPN

The 79rs Gang's new album, Expect the Unexpected, feeds the head and tickles the feet, featuring collaborations with members of Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem, among others.

79rs Gang On World Cafe

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Wednesday

Wednesday

How A Book Of New Orleans Brothels Inspired Don Vappie's Latest Album

Don Vappie David Spielman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Spielman/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

How A Book Of New Orleans Brothels Inspired Don Vappie's Latest Album

WXPN

The Blue Book of Storyville was a catalog that described the city's many brothels and prostitutes. Don Vappie, known for interpreting New Orleans' music canon, used it to imagine his latest album.

Don Vappie On World Cafe

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Tuesday

Monday

Introducing World Cafe's (New) New Orleans Correspondent

Dr. John, one of the icons of New Orleans' music scene, performs on stage during the Nice's Jazz Festival, July 18, 2010. Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Introducing World Cafe's (New) New Orleans Correspondent

WXPN

World Cafe host Raina Douris gets to know Gwen Thompkins while spinning some of the music that's provided the soundtrack to her life.

Gwen Thompkins on World Cafe

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Thursday

Obituaries

Patriarch Of New Orleans Musical Family, Ellis Marsalis, Dies At 85

WWNO

Ellis Marsalis, jazz pianist, educator and patriarch of the Marsalis family, has died. His music students included Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Harry Connick, Jr., and four of his sons.

Patriarch Of New Orleans Musical Family, Ellis Marsalis, Dies At 85

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Saturday

Wednesday

Obituaries

Fats Domino, Founding Father Of Rock 'N' Roll, Dies At 89

Fats Domino has died at 89. Antoine Domino Jr. was a founding father of rock 'n' roll and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. He daughter says he died of natural causes on Tuesday.

Fats Domino, Founding Father Of Rock 'N' Roll, Dies At 89

Listen · 6:48
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Fats Domino, Architect Of Rock 'N' Roll, Dead At 89

A 1967 portrait of Fats Domino. The singer and pianist died Oct. 24 at age 89. Clive Limpkin/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Clive Limpkin/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Fats Domino, Architect Of Rock 'N' Roll, Dead At 89

The rhythm-and-blues legend who became one of the progenitors of rock 'n' roll — and reportedly sold more than 65 million records along the way — died Tuesday.

Fats Domino, Architect Of Rock 'N' Roll, Dead At 89

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Sunday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

How 'Accidental' Notes Grab Our Attention

Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison perform in the 1958 TV adaptation of Kiss Me, Kate. The music by Cole Porter employed accidental notes to help illustrate the lyrics. Ralph Morse/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images hide caption

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Ralph Morse/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Music News

How 'Accidental' Notes Grab Our Attention

In music, "accidentals" are notes that color just outside the lines. They shocked listeners during the Renaissance, but these days you can find them all over the place.

How 'Accidental' Notes Grab Our Attention

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Saturday

Hear An Unreleased Song By Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint performs at the 2007 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Sean Gardner/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Hear An Unreleased Song By Allen Toussaint

NPR contributor Gwen Thompkins met the musician at a time when he'd thrown himself into performing around the world. Before his death this week in Madrid, he gave her a song he never got to release.

Hear An Unreleased Song By Allen Toussaint

Listen · 5:27
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Sunday

Hurricane Katrina: 10 Years Of Recovery And Reflection

Nothing, Not Even Recovery, Moves Quickly In New Orleans

Ten years after hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, former NPR correspondent Gwen Thompkins reports on the struggles of her beloved hometown, New Orleans, to rebuild lives.

Nothing, Not Even Recovery, Moves Quickly In New Orleans

Listen · 7:05
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Saturday

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