Remembering Karen Carpenter, 30 Years Later
By the time she was 24, Carpenter was already famous, having released more than a dozen hit records with her brother Richard. Her legacy remains a source of disagreement.
Music & Culture
For Opera Powerhouse Dolora Zajick, 'Singing Is Connected To The Body'
The mezzo-soprano discovered opera as a 22-year-old pre-med student. She took "a crack at a singing career" and has been at the Metropolitan Opera for 25 years. Now she's helping emerging singers.
Lake Street Dive: 'Portraits' Of Heartache
The band prides itself on technique over originality, but is nonetheless passionate about its craft.
Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing
Another month means another genre-spanning mix of new music chosen by public radio's top DJs. Download new songs by Neko Case, Jason Marsalis, Valerie June, Porter Ray and many other artists.
No Instruments? For Pentatonix, It's No Problem
The latest group to win NBC's a cappella competition The Sing-Off is back with a new album. The group has racked up millions of views on YouTube, but its members say they're more than novelty singers.
Fred Armisen's Fake Bands (And Their Real Songs)
The Saturday Night Live alum's sketches about fictional musicians strike a believable chord. Fitting, then, that the original songs he wrote for them are now getting a proper release.
Acclaimed Jazz Singer Diane Reeves Takes On A Soulful Sound
Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves has partnered with a younger generation of jazz musicians for a new album called Beautiful Life.
Ambrose Akinmusire: 'Music Can Tell You What It Wants To Be'
One of the most talked-about names in jazz, the 32-year-old trumpeter is more auteur than star. In an extended interview, he explains why it's crucial to let his collaborators think for themselves.
A Fresh Vocalist From The Same School As Adele, Winehouse
Zara McFarlane is a young jazz singer from the U.K. who has been compared to Nina Simone. NPR's Jacki Lyden speaks with Zara about her unusual voice technique.
Rapper, Mother, Superstar: Ana Tijoux Finds Her Words
In her latest album, French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux finds inspiration in the birth of her child and the complexities of womanhood. She shares her thoughts on making music that's universal.