Music & Culture

"Music definitely drives me," says guitarist Tori Ruffin. "I'm always trying to learn, always trying to create."

Music & Culture

'Like Deftones Meets Miles Davis': Tulsa's Tori Ruffin Gets Freaky

11:38am May 05, 2021

by Julie Wenger Watson

Ruffin's guitar has graced performances from Mariah Carey to Fishbone. Public radio program Live From Cain's profiles the veteran guitarist and his Tulsa band, Freak Juice.

On his new CD, classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglic plays two works composed especially for him.

Man With A Mission: Miloš Seeks The Next Great Classical Guitar Showpiece

8:11am May 05, 2021

by Tim Greiving

Recovered from a career-threatening injury, Miloš Karadaglic has his sights set on two goals: finding the next great classical guitar concerto, and erasing the taboo of injuries among musicians.

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Live-event spaces, like the Sound Nightclub in Los Angeles, have been waiting months for emergency relief.

Need Aid For Your Shuttered Venue? End Of May Is The Earliest You Might Get It

5:20am May 05, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

Qualified applicants can expect to see emergency relief money by the end of the month.

Big dreams, Tiny Desk: Starting May 11, you can enter this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

Announcing The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest

4:22pm May 04, 2021

by Bob Boilen

Unsigned musicians: We want to hear from you. Starting May 11, send us a video of you performing one original song at a desk — and you might get to come play behind Bob Boilen's.

Music & Culture

Composer Bernard Herrmann Showcases His Range On 'PostClassical Ensemble'

2:41pm May 04, 2021

by Lloyd Schwartz

Herrmann composed some of the best-known film music ever written — especially the scores he wrote for Alfred Hitchcock. Now a new CD shows another side of Herrmann that's equally memorable.

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Marvin Gaye's hit record "What's Going On" encapsulates the political turmoil of 1971 while also inspiring hope for change.

Music & Culture

NPR's 50 Favorite Songs Of 1971

6:00pm May 03, 2021

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

Los Angeles, January 1971: A pre-glam David Bowie jams at a party.

Music & Culture

What The Radio Sounded Like In 1971

4:53pm May 03, 2021

by Raina Douris

NPR broadcast its first on-air original programming 50 years ago today: May 3, 1971.

The Shout at Cancer choir, pictured above in 2018, is featured in Bill Brummel's new documentary, Can You Hear My Voice?

In The 'Shout At Cancer Choir,' No Voice Boxes Needed To Sing Out

3:45pm May 03, 2021

by Stephanie O'Neill

All the singers in this U.K. choir have undergone laryngectomies — voice box removal — to treat cancer. Singing builds lung strength, and performing together builds confidence, choir members say.

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Calma Carmona performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Meets AFROPUNK: Calma Carmona

5:00am May 03, 2021

by LaTesha Harris

The Puerto Rican singer performed three songs for this special Tiny Desk collaboration with AFROPUNK.

Nashville Nonprofit Shifts From Financial Help To Mental Health

5:44pm May 02, 2021

by Blake Farmer

People who work in the music industry need more than economic bailouts. An aid group based in Nashville is now providing money for mental health assistance to people who haven't had work for a year.

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