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Music News

'Brother Robert' Reveals True Story Of Growing Up With Blues Legend Robert Johnson

Annye Anderson — stepsister of Robert Johnson — published her memoir Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson in June. Ben James hide caption

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Ben James

Music Interviews

'Brother Robert' Reveals True Story Of Growing Up With Blues Legend Robert Johnson

Annye Anderson, the stepsister of Robert Johnson, whose life became a founding myth of American music, has written a memoir about the real life behind the legend.

'Brother Robert' Reveals True Story Of Growing Up With Blues Legend Robert Johnson

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Members Of The Band Kiss Urge Eveyone To Mask Up

Singer Gene Simmons posted a photo of the band en route to Dubai for a livestream concert. Not in their usual devilish face paint, they were wearing more normal masks.

Members Of The Band Kiss Urge Eveyone To Mask Up

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Jazz Musicians Discover New Possibilities Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Jazz musicians often rely on the energy they take from a live audience. So when live performances were shut down because of the pandemic, they had to find ways to adapt.

Jazz Musicians Discover New Possibilities Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

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'Morning Edition Song Project' Will Continue Into 2021

Morning Edition co-hosts Rachel Martin and David Greene discuss the Morning Edition Song Project, in which musicians write songs about the news of 2020, and soon, 2021.

'Morning Edition Song Project' Will Continue Into 2021

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Business

This Denver Bar Once Welcomed Frank Sinatra And Jack Kerouac. Now It's Closed

The legendary El Chapultepec has closed after 87 years in business — not only because of the pandemic, but also because Denver has changed.

This Denver Bar Once Welcomed Frank Sinatra And Jack Kerouac. Now It's Closed

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'Rompan Todo' Explores A Turbulent History Of Latin America Through Rock Music

Sergio Arau (center) poses with fellow Botellita de Jerez bandmates. They were one of the most influential groups in the '80s after rock re-emerged in Mexico following 15 years of censorship and repression. Lourdes Grobet hide caption

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Lourdes Grobet

Music Interviews

'Rompan Todo' Explores A Turbulent History Of Latin America Through Rock Music

Rompan Todo is a new Netflix six-part documentary series that explores the socio-political history of rock music in Latin America from its genesis in the 1960s to the present.

'Rompan Todo' Explores A Turbulent History Of Latin America Through Rock Music

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In 'Soul,' Jon Batiste's Music Helps Bring Pixar's First Black Lead To Life

In Soul, a middle-school band teacher makes one small misstep and ends up in The Great Before, a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Pixar hide caption

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Pixar

Movies

In 'Soul,' Jon Batiste's Music Helps Bring Pixar's First Black Lead To Life

Batiste is one of several real-life musicians who consulted on the new Pixar film, about a middle-school band teacher who ends up in a fantastical realm called The Great Before.

In 'Soul,' Jon Batiste's Music Helps Bring Pixar's First Black Lead To Life

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'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Shines A Light On August Wilson's Vision

August Wilson at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo., in 2004. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc hide caption

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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Arts & Life

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Shines A Light On August Wilson's Vision

The late August Wilson's first Broadway hit, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, has been adapted for the screen, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role.

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Shines A Light On August Wilson's Vision

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Beethoven's Life, Liberty And Pursuit Of Enlightenment

A portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven, painted in 1804 by W.J. Mähler. Wikimedia Commons hide caption

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Wikimedia Commons

Deceptive Cadence

Beethoven's Life, Liberty And Pursuit Of Enlightenment

Growing up in a progressive city, Ludwig van Beethoven embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment, the philosophical movement that shook Europe and helped shape the composer's music.

Beethoven's Life, Liberty And Pursuit Of Enlightenment

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In New Orleans, Music Education Programs Cautiously Fall Back In Step

Students rehearse outdoors at The Roots of Music. The education nonprofit has kept its marching band going throughout the pandemic and resumed in-person rehearsal over the summer. Phoebe Jones hide caption

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Phoebe Jones

In New Orleans, Music Education Programs Cautiously Fall Back In Step

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

After months of silence, music programs are attempting to resume limited in-person rehearsals at NOLA public schools, where the stakes go far beyond what kids do with their after-school time.

In New Orleans, Music Education Programs Cautiously Fall Back In Step

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In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

A toy reindeer is shown on a white background. Radio stations, looking to boost ratings and provide comfort in a pandemic-marred year, started playing songs as early as July. And listeners loved it. mattjeacock/Getty Images hide caption

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mattjeacock/Getty Images

Business

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

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