Music & Culture

Wilco guitarist Nels Cline showcases his musical diversity on 'Consentrik Quartet'

12:21pm April 30, 2025

by Martin Johnson

From indie rock to jazz, Cline is one of most versatile players on today's music scene. His latest album is named after his new group, but in many ways it sounds like a retrospective of Cline's work.

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Jack Black hits a milestone on the charts, while Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' keeps rising

3:35pm April 29, 2025

It's a slow week on the Billboard charts, but Jack Black breaks a surprising record on the chart. Plus, rapper Doechii lands her first Top 10 album and Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' continues to move up the Hot 100.

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In order to have conversations -- start by singing

7:37am April 29, 2025

To foster equity and community, people gather several times a year to sing together in Portland, Oregon. The woman behind this effort has twice been nominated for a Grammy in music education.

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Music & Culture

At the Kennedy Center, a concert honors the 2025 NEA Jazz Masters amidst turbulence

7:03pm April 28, 2025

In a fraught moment for two institutions behind the awards, this year's NEA Jazz Masters ceremony celebrated musicians who have upheld the genre's legacy while looking anxiously toward an uncertain future.

Madison McFerrin: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am April 28, 2025

Madison McFerrin, who creates instruments in real-time out of her looped vocals, previews songs from her upcoming album SCORPIO backed by a Chicago-based band and a sister vocal trio.

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Violinist Esther Abrami uncovers 'hidden treasure' of music by women

5:00am April 28, 2025

by Michel Martin

French violinist and social media influencer Esther Abrami releases her new album, Women, featuring music by female composers in a bid to redress historic biases.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 includes OutKast, Soundgarden and Cyndi Lauper

8:39pm April 27, 2025

The seven acts voted into the Rock Hall this year include Southern rap and Midwest garage rock duos, pillars of the grunge and English blues rock eras and the '80s most unusual pop star.

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Music & Culture

From pants to bovine excision, Samia considers the void

4:58pm April 25, 2025

by Sarah Handel

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Samia about her new album, Bloodless, and the inspiration she took from contemplating nothingness.

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Music & Culture

Watch Live: The 2025 NEA Jazz Masters tribute concert

2:20pm April 25, 2025

A celebration to honor this year's NEA Jazz Masters award recipients, including Marshall Allen, Chucho Valdés, Marilyn Crispell and Gary Giddins. Watch live at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 26.

Carolina to 'Cowboy Carter' and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home

1:22pm April 25, 2025

For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.