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Music Interviews Interviews with top musicians from jazz, blues, rock, pop, folk, classical, urban, and world music. Listen online to live studio sessions and musician interviews and watch video sessions.

Music Interviews

Jazz Saxophonist James Carter

Fresh Air

Jazz saxophonist James Carter. He has just released two new CDs Chasin' the Gypsy and Layin' in the Cut (Atlantic Records). The 31-year-old New York based musician was discovered at the age of 17 by Wynton Marsalis. He's played with Marsalis, the late Lester Bowie and Kathleen Battle. He has been praised by jazz musicians and critics alike; Richard Harrington of the Washington Post once wrote, "To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away."

Jazz Saxophonist James Carter

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Bebel Gilberto

Host Jacki Lyden talks with Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto about her first album Tanto Tempo. Bebel, 33, is daughter of Joao Gilberto, the legendary guitarist, who founded the Bossa Nova music style in Brazil more than 30 years ago. Bebel has spiced her collection of songs with the cool tones of Bossa Nova and a touch of electronic sounds from a diverse group of producers. (Tanto Tempo Ziriguiboom/Six Degrees 657036 1026-2)

Bebel Gilberto

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Yusuf Islam

He used to be known as Cat Stevens — and his recordings from the 1970's are being rereleased on CD to mark the 30th anniversary of his 1st American hits. In 1977, he embraced the Islamic faith and turned his back on the music industry. He was denounced for his reported support of the Ayatollah Khomeni's death decree against novelist Salman Rushdie, and just this month, he was not allowed to enter Israel for his reported support of Hamas. Yusuf Islam tells Liane his side of the story, and about his life and faith.

Yusuf Islam

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Fela And Femi Kuti

Banning Eyre reports on the legacy of Nigerian bandleader and activist Fela Kuti. Kuti came from a talented and educated family. He was educated in England and spent time in America. In the 1970's, his jazz and funk-influenced music challenged the political and military leadership of Nigeria. His lifestyle reflected his sharp rejection of Western ideas. Kuti eventually died of complications from AIDS. But his life is attracting new attention here in the US as his son Femi tours with a band, and a new biography by Michael Veal details his life. (12:30)
Please note, Fela: The Life & Times of an African Musical Icon, by Michael E. Veal is published by Temple University Press; ISBN# 1566397650, June 2000.

Fela And Femi Kuti

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Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Host John Ydstie talks to alternative country musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore about his new album, One Endless Night. The Texas singer/songwriter's been a tough artist to categorize: country music stations are not likely to put him in heavy rotation, but stations with American roots-type shows have been interested in Gilmore's twangy take on several non-country tunes, including Mac the Knife and the Grateful Dead's Ripple.

Jimmie Dale Gilmore

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Luaka Bop

Ten years ago, musician David Byrne followed a passion of his and started a world music label. The unassuming Luaka Bop Records was originally created to release a few Brazilian compilations, but it has grown to include music from Cuba, Africa, the Far East, and beyond. Host Jacki Lyden travels to the Luaka Bop offices in David Byrne's townhouse in Greenwich Village, and encourages him to dig out a few of the records that inspired him. (19:00) (Featured music appears on the CD's Tom Ze - Best of Tom Ze - Volume 4 [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49049]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 3 - Diabla Al Infierno: New Directions in Cuban Music [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49028]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 1 - Greatest Hits of Silvio Rodriguez: Canciones Urgentes [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49026]; Los Amigos Invisibiles - The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49042].

Luaka Bop

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Louis Armstrong

GUESTS: CLARK TERRY * Jazz musician and bandleader, plays trumpet and flugelhorn DAN MORGENSTERN *Director of the Institute for Jazz Studies, Rutgers University LAURENCE BERGREEN *Author,Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life (Broadway Books, 1997) Louis Armstrong has been called the greatest musician of the century. While some may disagree, one thing is certain: after Louis, no one played or sang popular music the same way. Miles Davis once said that you can't play anything on the trumpet that Louis hadn't played-- even modern music. And while Armstrong may not have been gifted with a classically beautiful singing voice, the way he made a melody his own has inspired popular singers ever since; Frank Sinatra said that Louis Armstrong turned popular song into art. July 4th is the day when Armstrong's birthday is traditionally celebrated, so across the country this Independence Day, Americans will also be celebrating a hundred years of Pops. Join Juan Williams and guests for a look at the life and influence of Louis Armstrong, on the next Talk of the Nation, from NPR News.

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