Music

Thad Jones composed, arranged, conducted and played trumpet and flugelhorn for the jazz orchestra he led with drummer Mel Lewis.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, 'Backbone'

9:00am February 11, 2016

by Patrick Jarenwattananon

The first-ever gig of the most influential jazz big band of the last 50 years has emerged. It lays complex arrangements over simple blues forms. It also swings like crazy.

Carrie Rodriguez's new album, Lola, comes out Feb. 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Carrie Rodriguez, 'Lola'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Felix Contreras

The veteran singer and fiddler combines seemingly disparate influences into a single, gloriously cohesive Spanglish statement.

Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother, whose new album, Victorious, comes out Feb. 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Wolfmother, 'Victorious'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Jason Heller

Just as an arena is built to hold anyone and everyone, Wolfmother's arena-rock is designed to contain everything that inspires it.

Prins Thomas' new album, Principe Del Norte, comes out Feb. 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Prins Thomas, 'Principe Del Norte'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Andy Beta

These nine pieces expand to nearly 100 minutes of "cosmic disco" music, soundtracking a voyage into the deepest spaces of the mind.

BJ The Chicago Kid's new album, In My Mind, comes out Feb. 19

Music & Culture

First Listen: BJ The Chicago Kid, 'In My Mind'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Timmhotep Aku

The Windy City soul man has established himself as a supreme collaborator; his Motown debut features guest spots from Kendrick Lamar and Chance The Rapper.

Africaine 808's new album, Basar, comes out Feb. 19.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Africaine 808, 'Basar'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Piotr Orlov

The Berlin duo's club music transcends dance-floor stereotypes through extreme juxtapositions, while drawing its power from a TR 808 drum machine and a world of sound.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Birds Of Chicago, 'Real Midnight'

11:00pm February 10, 2016

by Jewly Hight

J.T. Nero and Allison Russell like to describe the music they make as "secular gospel." Their new album together is full of nostalgia, farewells and looming finales.

Ethel Waters and Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson in the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky, directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Music & Culture

A New 'Cabin In The Sky' Offers Universal Stories — And A Problematic Past

5:50pm February 10, 2016

by Jeff Lunden

Best remembered as a 1943 film starring Ethel Waters, the musical is being resurrected as a concert series, which aims to both honor the story and reckon with its racist roots.

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Máire Brennan performs on Mountain Stage.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: From Vinyl To MP3

5:20pm February 10, 2016

Whether found on record shelves or on hard drives, great performances endure across generations.

Lucius performs live in the World Cafe studio.

Music & Culture

Lucius On World Cafe

4:47pm February 10, 2016

Singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig perform songs from their forthcoming album, Good Grief.

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