Amplify With Lara Downes

The curious mind — and hard work — of bassist Christian McBride

Classical California KUSC

November 16, 2023 • The Grammy-winning bassist, bandleader and broadcaster talks about his love for music, family ties in the jazz world, and the thrill of sitting in with Wynton Marsalis as a teenager.

How Corinne Bailey Rae and Theaster Gates are preserving Black culture

Classical California KUSC

October 17, 2023 • On her album, Black Rainbows, Bailey Rae was inspired by the art, books and magazines at the Stony Island Arts Bank, a repository for Black history on Chicago's South Side, created by Gates.

Allison Russell finds transformative musical power in community

Classical California KUSC

September 11, 2023 • With help from a sisterhood of musicians, the Canadian singer-songwriter and activist has triumphed over trauma to become a distinguished figure on the Americana scene.

Linguist John McWhorter views American music through a wide lens

Classical California KUSC

August 3, 2023 • The Columbia University professor and New York Times columnist traces the intersecting lines of race and music in American history.

Samora Pinderhughes promotes healing one day at a time

Classical California KUSC

July 6, 2023 • The multidisciplinary artist addresses systems of oppression by collecting and sharing stories through music, film and visual art.

Pianist Gerald Clayton's open-hearted dialog across genres

Classical California KUSC

June 6, 2023 • The thoughtful pianist with a jazz pedigree talks about blurring the boundaries between jazz and classical, the pitfalls of music education, and harmonious rides in elevators.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi wants everyone to have a seat at his table

Classical California KUSC

May 5, 2023 • Every dish tells a story for the award-winning New York chef, who creates menus inspired by his Nigerian, creole and South Bronx roots.

Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard's unexpected path into the opera house

Classical California KUSC

April 14, 2023 • The five-time Grammy winner has mounted two operas at the Metropolitan Opera, which until 2021 had never staged a work by a Black composer. Hear him discuss the future of opera with Lara Downes.

Jessie Montgomery, composing from a place of self-honor

Classical California KUSC

March 1, 2023 • Watch Lara Downes' conversation with the composer-in-residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra about balancing her roots, her craft and the shifting field of classical music.

Jazz singer Samara Joy embraces the past while making music for the future

Classical California KUSC

February 2, 2023 • Watch Lara Downes' conversation with the 23-year-old, Grammy-nominated sensation about balancing the demands of a surging career and the women artists who paved the way.

Your Music Saved My Life: Ledisi Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

August 28, 2021 • The versatile and impassioned singer was ready to throw in the towel until she heard a message in a Nina Simone song that told her, "You're going be fine. I understand how you feel. Keep going."

Identity And Dance: Camille A. Brown Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

August 14, 2021 • The groundbreaking choreographer, who is also the first Black director at the Metropolitan Opera, says she found self-expression through dance.

Pandemic Lessons: Elaine Welteroth And Jonathan Singletary Talk With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

July 31, 2021 • The creative couple, who married in 2020, thrive on gratitude, community and the new approaches they've taken in the wake of the pandemic.

We Should Tell Stories Of Black Joy: Will Liverman Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

July 17, 2021 • The rising young baritone, searching for diversity in the opera house, tries on his composer hat by putting a Black spin on Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Shaking Up The Classical Canon: Randall Goosby Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

July 3, 2021 • The rising young violinist discovers his musical roots and questions the traditional borderlines of the repertoire.

You Have To Fight For The Vision: Wynton Marsalis Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

June 19, 2021 • The musical polymath offers ideas on everything from Russian satellites and hip-hop, to Bach and football, and how they shape the musical education of America.

The Alchemy Of Words And Music: Tayari Jones Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

June 5, 2021 • The best-selling novelist shares tips for good writing and the stories behind some of the most meaningful music in her life, from Rossini to the O'Jays.

What Is Activism? Carl Hancock Rux Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

May 8, 2021 • The poet and playwright wrestles with the idea of being an activist in America today in its various forms, meanings and misunderstandings.

Busting Myths And Building Resiliency: Esperanza Spalding Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

April 24, 2021 • The self-described "athletically creative" bassist, vocalist and composer searches for origins and originality while writing an opera with jazz giant Wayne Shorter.

A Melting Pot Of Traditions: Regina Carter Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

April 10, 2021 • The genre-disrupting violinist talks about the problem with labeling music and the importance of being a role model for young women.

Words Won't Fail Us: Rita Dove Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

March 27, 2021 • The former poet laureate, Pulitzer winner and musician says she's obsessed with telling neglected stories and making poems sing.

Erasing Genres With Cinematic Flair: Kris Bowers Talks With Lara Downes

Classical California KUSC

March 13, 2021 • The composer for the Oscar-winning film Green Book and the runaway hit series Bridgerton examines intersections between classical, jazz and pop, while paying homage to past musical pioneers.

How To Stay Human: Jon Batiste Talks With Lara Downes

December 26, 2020 • The renowned musician and Late Show bandleader has sage advice on everything from finding your north star and owning your own orbit to honoring lineage.