Music Interviews

Music & Culture

'O Emmanuel' Composer Mixes In Jazz To Provide 'Respite' Within Traditional Hit

9:14am December 03, 2016

Composer J.J. Wright combines sacred music with jazz for a project based on texts and melodies of Advent. NPR's Scott Simon speaks to him from Rome where he now interns with the Sistine Chapel Choir.

Peter Silberman is the singer from The Antlers.

Music & Culture

All Songs +1: Peter Silberman On Compassion, Impermanence And Hearing Loss

1:31pm December 01, 2016

by Bob Boilen

The Antlers' singer discusses coming back to music after temporarily losing his hearing and how that's changed his sound.

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Andrew Norman's orchestral piece Play has won the Grawemeyer Award.

Music & Culture

Andrew Norman Wins The Grawemeyer Award For Music

10:01pm November 28, 2016

by Tom Huizenga

The young California composer's expansive, boisterous Play pushes the orchestra to its limits in music both chaotic and serene.

For her latest album, Georgian-British artist Katie Melua returned to her home country to record with the 23-piece Gori Women's Choir.

Music & Culture

Katie Melua, A Georgian Voice Made Good In The West, Comes Home

8:45am November 28, 2016

by NPR Staff

Melua is one of the U.K.'s most successful female artists. For her latest album, In Winter, she traveled to her home country of Georgia to record with the 23-member Gori Women's Choir.

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Music & Culture

Music Of Mali: Rokia Traore

8:39am November 27, 2016

Despite the ongoing Tuareg rebellion and military coup, Mali produces extraordinary artists and musicians. NPR's Linda Wertheimer speaks with singer Rokia Traoré about her album, "Né So."

Daniel Foose Returns From Family's Former Slave Plantation With New Album Material

9:28am November 26, 2016

Foose is a jazz bass player and composer living in New York. His great-great-great grandfather was a slave owner, and Foose went back to the old plantation to exorcise some ghosts.

Andy Grammer shot the music video for "Fresh Eyes" on Skid Row in L.A. "It was really powerful," he says. "By far the best day of my year."

Music & Culture

In Andy Grammer's New Video, A Call To Act Against Homelessness

9:06am November 26, 2016

by NPR Staff

Grammer filmed the video for his single "Fresh Eyes" on Skid Row in Los Angeles. Over the course of the shoot, the singer and his team provided haircuts, clean clothes and meals.

Music & Culture

Pink Floyd's Nick Mason On World Cafe

9:00am November 25, 2016

by David Dye

The band's longtime drummer shares everything you wanted to know about the early years of Pink Floyd.

Clockwise from left: Corey King, Esperanza Spalding, Laura Mvula, Michaela Anne.

Music & Culture

For Thanksgiving, A Chain Of Musical Gratitude

10:11am November 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

Host Ari Shapiro invites four different musicians — Laura Mvula, Esperanza Spalding, Corey King and Michaela Anne — to discuss a fellow artist they're each grateful for.

Robbie Robertson's new memoir, Testimony, is out now.

Music & Culture

Robbie Robertson On 'The Last Waltz,' 40 Years Later

4:44am November 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Band's epic final concert included stars like Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan — and the venue even served Thanksgiving dinner.