obituaries

Hank Adams, right, died Dec. 21 at the age of 77. Adams fought for Native American treaty rights throughout his life.

Hank Adams, The 'Most Important Indian,' Dies At 77

3:30am December 25, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

Hank Adams, a lifelong Native American civil rights advocate, died Dec. 21 at the age of 77. Adams is most well-known for his work in getting the federal government to uphold tribal treaty rights.

Jazz Night In America's 2020 In Memoriam program includes Jimmy Heath, Lee Konitz, CÃ ndido Camero, Tony Allen, Annie Ross, Freddy Cole, Gary Peacock, Henry Grimes, Wallace Roney and McCoy Tyner.

Music & Culture

In Memoriam: Jazz Night Radio Remembers 10 Musicians Who Altered The Shape Of Jazz

1:35pm December 17, 2020

We remember luminaries we lost this year in our In Memoriam program: Jimmy Heath; Lee Konitz; Càndido; Tony Allen; Annie Ross; Freddy Cole; Gary Peacock; Henry Grimes; Wallace Roney; and McCoy Tyner.

Grammy-winning trumpetist Keyon Harrold performs "Ethereal Souls" at Fontaine Capel in Socrates Sculpture Garden of Queens, N.Y..

Music & Culture

Ethereal Souls: Jazz Night In America Remembers Those We Lost In 2020

8:40am December 17, 2020

by Nikki Birch

Grammy-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold performs "Ethereal Souls" for Jazz Night In America's tribute to the jazz musicians we lost in 2020.

Charley Pride left behind a complex legacy and rich body of work that deserves closer listening.

Music & Culture

There's Only One Charley Pride

11:57am December 16, 2020

by Jewly Hight

Charley Pride was a symbol, ancestor and influence. But the country singer was also a master interpreter of song, his warm baritone attuned to deep emotion.

Ann Reinking, pictured holding her Tony Award for best choreography for the musical Chicago in 1997, died on Saturday, her family said in a statement.

Arts

Actress, Dancer, Choreographer Ann Reinking Dies At 71

9:56am December 15, 2020

A mainstay in Broadway musicals, her standout turn as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 1977 earned her widespread praise. She reprised the role in 1996 and won a Tony.

John le Carré, master of the spy thriller, died this past weekend at the age of 89.

Books
Arts

'He Makes Us Love George Smiley:' Robert Harris On The Legacy Of John Le Carré

7:29pm December 14, 2020

by Mary Louise Kelly

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with British writer Robert Harris about the legacy of John le Carré, whom he's called "one of the great post-war British novelists" and who died Saturday at age 89.

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Ella Augusta Johnson Dinkins, posing in a garden, one of her favorite places.

National

Ella Augusta Johnson Dinkins, Champion Of Zora Neale Hurston's Hometown, Dies At 102

10:03am December 14, 2020

by Renata Sago

Dinkins, who knew the writer, was a longtime resident of Eatonville, Fla., which was founded by freed slaves in 1887. She helped start the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities.

English writer and spy novelist John le Carré, pictured in March 1965. He died Saturday at age 89.

Books

Spy Novelist John Le Carré Dies At 89

8:31pm December 13, 2020

by Rachel Treisman

The bestselling author of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy died Saturday at age 89; his work was informed by his own years as a spy during the Cold War.

Arts

Carol Sutton, New Orleans Star Known For Role In 'Steel Magnolias,' Dies At 76

4:01pm December 13, 2020

by Gwen Thompkins

Sutton, who appeared in more than 100 movies, plays and television shows over a career that spanned almost 50 years, died this past week of complications from the coronavirus.

Music & Culture

Country Legend Charley Pride Dies Of COVID-19 Complications At 86

8:01am December 13, 2020

We remember Charley Pride, one of the first African Americans to become popular as a country artist. Pride died yesterday at the age of 86, of complications from COVID-19.

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