Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Vincent Herring Infuses Jazz With Bold Strokes And Swagger On 'Minor Swing'

10:16am May 13, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

Herring is an alto saxophonist with a dynamic sound and aggressive attitude. His new album features jazz with a big dollop of swing rhythm and blues feeling.

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Folk singer and fiddler Eliza Carthy is featured in this week's episode.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Anglo-Celtic

8:00am May 13, 2021

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features Eliza Carthy, Fairport Convention and Kathryn Tickell.

Sara Watkins performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Sara Watkins: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am May 13, 2021

by Bob Boilen

The Nickel Creek fiddler makes a magical return to Tiny Desk. Watch Sara Watkins and her band perform five songs in quarantine.

Tina Turner performing in Berlin in 2009. This is her second induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was previously named for her work with Ike Turner in 1991.

Tina Turner, Jay-Z, Foo Fighters Among Those Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

4:35pm May 12, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

It's the most diverse collection of inductees in the Hall of Fame's 36-year history, according to the organization.

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Kahlen. submitted the very first entry to the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

Watch The First Entry To The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest

1:40pm May 12, 2021

by Elle Mannion

The first 2021 Contest entry comes from Minneapolis songwriter (and three-time entrant) Kahlen. If you've got big dreams of playing a Tiny Desk concert, we're accepting entries until June 7.

Matt Allen, who records under the name Nur-D.

For Twin Cities Rapper Nur-D, Another Step Forward

12:35pm May 12, 2021

All of a sudden, Matt Allen found himself caring for injured and teargassed protesters in Minneapolis last year. The enduring experience found its way into his sunny music.

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Musician Hopes Song 'Cootie Shot' Will Help Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy

6:20am May 12, 2021

by Mandalit del Barco

Children ages 12 to 15 have been approved to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Pierce Freelon, a children's musician, hopes to encourage more kidsto get vaccinated with a new song: "Cootie Shot."

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The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest is now open for entries.

Music & Culture

You Can Now Enter The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest

10:00am May 11, 2021

by Marissa Lorusso

Send in your video before midnight on June 7. If you win, you'll play your very own Tiny Desk concert at NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Music & Culture

'Mr. Personality' Lloyd Price Dead At 88

12:41am May 11, 2021

by Mandalit del Barco

Singer Lloyd Price, best known for the hits "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and "Stagger Lee," died in New Rochelle, N.Y., last week at the age of 88.

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Music & Culture

Dawn Richard Sings Her Freedom On 'Second Line'

4:58pm May 10, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with New Orleans multi-hyphenate Dawn Richard about her long journey from budding pop star to indie auteur, as well as her latest album Second Line.

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