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Holiday Music NPR presents a mix of live concerts and other music to help get you in the spirit of the season.
The Beatles on a toboggan in Austria in 1965.
Special Series

Holiday Music

NPR presents a mix of live concerts and other music to help get you in the spirit of the season.
First Listen: Tracey Thorn, 'Tinsel And Lights'

Tracey Thorn's album Tinsel and Lights was released Oct. 30. Edward Bishop/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Edward Bishop/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Tracey Thorn, 'Tinsel And Lights'

Not since Aimee Mann's One More Drifter in the Snow has a collection of seasonal music been so finely engineered to locate the holidays' melancholy side. But Tinsel and Lights is as warmly rendered as it is achingly bittersweet.

Tinsel and Lights

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Some Christmas Tunes From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Rebecca Kilgore is one of America's leading song stylists. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Some Christmas Tunes From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Fresh Air

In time for the holidays, Fresh Air presents an in-studio concert. Singer Rebecca Kilgore, trombonist Dan Barrett and pianist Rossano Sportiello played at the NOLA studios in Manhattan.

Some Christmas Tunes From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Listen · 5:47
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Hugh Martin's 'Hidden Treasures' Explored

The late Hugh Martin wrote the Christmas standard, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The Musical Theater Project hide caption

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The Musical Theater Project

Hugh Martin's 'Hidden Treasures' Explored

Fresh Air

Martin wrote "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for Meet Me in St. Louis, along with dozens of other songs for MGM and Broadway musicals. His career is celebrated on a new CD with essays.

Hugh Martin's 'Hidden Treasures' Explored

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All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011
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All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011

There's more to the season than "Jingle Bell Rock." This week, the All Songs crew spins some holiday music you might not have heard before.

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011

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Two Takes On Christmas Music: Sweet And Sour

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Jon Sievert/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Review

Two Takes On Christmas Music: Sweet And Sour

John Zorn — the lion of the avant-garde — and Bob Dorough — the creator of Schoolhouse Rock's "Three is a Magic Number" — each tackle Christmas music in their own ways. What you get isn't necessarily what you might expect.

Two Takes On Christmas Music: Sweet And Sour

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A Paul Winter Solstice Concert 2011

The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Rhonda R. Dorsett hide caption

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Rhonda R. Dorsett

A Paul Winter Solstice Concert 2011

The saxophonist celebrates the longest night of the year with a Winter Solstice Celebration.

Hear Part One Of The Winter Solstice Celebration

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A Jazz Piano Christmas 2011

L-R: Alfredo Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Barry Harris, Jason Moran. Margot Schulman/Kennedy Center hide caption

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Margot Schulman/Kennedy Center

A Jazz Piano Christmas 2011

NPR Music celebrates the holidays with some of the most celebrated pianists in jazz. This year, the Kennedy Center welcomed Eddie Palmieri, Barry Harris, Alfredo Rodriguez and Jason Moran.

Listen Now: A Jazz Piano Christmas 2011

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An 'Alt.Latino' Christmas

A Nicaraguan Christmas tree in Managua. Miguel Alvarez hide caption

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Miguel Alvarez

Alt.Latino

An 'Alt.Latino' Christmas

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Jasmine Garsd join Weekend Edition Saturday's Scott Simon to discuss modern interpretations of traditional Latin holiday music.

An 'Alt.Latino' Christmas

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Swinging Christmas Music From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Rebecca Kilgore is one of America's leading song stylists. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Swinging Christmas Music From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Fresh Air

In time for the holidays, Fresh Air presents an in-studio concert. Singer Rebecca Kilgore, trombonist Dan Barrett and pianist Rossano Sportiello played at the NOLA studios in Manhattan.

Swinging Christmas Music From Rebecca Kilgore And Pals

Listen · 47:14
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Piano Jazz Presents: Holiday Memories With Michael Feinstein

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Randee St. Nicholas/Concord Music Group

Piano Jazz Presents: Holiday Memories With Michael Feinstein

Hear a special episode of Piano Jazz with holiday favorites and surprises never heard on the program before. The pianist and singer Michael Feinstein, a consummate performer of the Great American Songbook, guest-hosts and plays a few numbers himself.

Piano Jazz Presents: Holiday Memories With Michael Feinstein

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Music Icon Annie Lennox Belts Songs Of Christmas Love

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Music Icon Annie Lennox Belts Songs Of Christmas Love

The legendary Annie Lennox is out with her first ever holiday album that has the critics raving - Christmas Cornucopia. Host Michel Martin speaks with Lennox about her music, her humanitarian work and her drive in life.

Music Icon Annie Lennox Belts Songs Of Christmas Love

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All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special

All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special

Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton share some of the tunes that get them in the mood for warm cookies, hot cocoa, and Santa Claus. Grab a blanket and curl up in front of the computer.

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2010

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