Music Features : NPR

Jon Hendricks, Genre-Pushing Jazz Vocalist, Dead At 96

Jazz singers, Dave Lambert (left), Annie Ross and Jon Hendricks with Canon L. John Collins on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral in London in 1959. Jon Hendricks died on November 22 at the age of 96. Keystone/Getty Images hide caption

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Jon Hendricks, Genre-Pushing Jazz Vocalist, Dead At 96

November 22, 2017 • The jazz singer and songwriter died Wednesday in Manhattan at the age of 96.

Vince Staples Believes He Deserves All The Grammys, But He Isn't Holding His Breath

Vince Staples's second album, Big Fish Theory, was released in June. James W. Mataitis Bailey/Courtesy of Def Jam hide caption

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James W. Mataitis Bailey/Courtesy of Def Jam

The Record

Vince Staples Believes He Deserves All The Grammys, But He Isn't Holding His Breath

November 17, 2017 • The acclaimed rapper argues that the music he makes could fit into hip-hop, electronic or alternative categories at the annual awards, if only the Academy could see past its biases.

As Always, Country Music Gently Reckons With Civic Tumult

The opening performance at the 51st annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images hide caption

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Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

The Record

As Always, Country Music Gently Reckons With Civic Tumult

November 10, 2017 • At the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, light political farce and wide-angle expressions of empathy were the vehicles for addressing violence, toxic politics and sexual assault.

Courtesy of Big Machine Label Group

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The Record

The Old Taylor's Not Dead

November 10, 2017 • On her new album, Reputation, Taylor Swift continues to chronicle the links between romance, revenge and her own personal sense of justice, but also confronts how she may be trapped by her own image.

The Old Taylor's Not Dead

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Tucker Beathard Is More Than Country Music's Latest Punk

Tucker Beathard's family connections in Nashville haven't smoothed the path to his debut album. Jim Wright/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jim Wright/Courtesy of the artist

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Tucker Beathard Is More Than Country Music's Latest Punk

November 3, 2017 • Beathard, who has family connections in the country music industry and an edgier, angstier sound than Nashville is used to, will release his debut album, Dear Someone, on November 17.

Johnny Clegg, A South African Superstar, Says Farewell

Johnny Clegg co-founded two important, interracial bands, and became an essential voice in South Africa. Now, he's embarking on a farewell tour after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Fiona Macpherson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Fiona Macpherson/Courtesy of the artist

The Musicians

Johnny Clegg, A South African Superstar, Says Farewell

October 29, 2017 • Singer and dancer Johnny Clegg — the co-founder of two groundbreaking, racially mixed bands during the apartheid era — is battling pancreatic cancer. He's saying goodbye to his fans on a U.S. tour.

Johnny Clegg, A South African Superstar, Says Farewell

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Gord Downie Gordon Hawkins/Courtesy of Arts & Crafts hide caption

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Gordon Hawkins/Courtesy of Arts & Crafts

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Gord Downie's Final Album Is A Gift

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October 26, 2017 • In 23 songs, the Tragically Hip frontman, who died last week, casts light outward onto those who mattered to him, with all the detail and generosity that made him one of Canada's most beloved singers.

Jackie Shane, A Force Of Nature Who Disappeared, Has A Story All Her Own

Jackie Shane in Sept. 1967. Courtesy of Numero Group hide caption

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Courtesy of Numero Group

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Jackie Shane, A Force Of Nature Who Disappeared, Has A Story All Her Own

October 25, 2017 • The performances of this trailblazing transgender singer — once radically visible, now long hidden — have been likened to tornadoes. A new box set is a document of a career that never followed rules.

Justin Timberlake Will Return To The Super Bowl Halftime Stage As A Headliner

Justin Timberlake photographed on September 8, 2017. The pop star was chosen to headline the 52ns Super Bowl halftime show. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for EIF hide caption

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Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for EIF

The Record

Justin Timberlake Will Return To The Super Bowl Halftime Stage As A Headliner

October 23, 2017 • Timberlake will no doubt bring a cavalcade of stars to the program — and try to avoid recalling what happened on the same stage in 2004.

How 'The Con' Almost Broke Tegan And Sara

Tegan (left) and Sara Quin perform at Coachella in 2008, following the release of the duo's fifth album, The Con. Tegan and Sara are celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Con with a tour and an album of covers performed by musicians influenced by the original album. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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How 'The Con' Almost Broke Tegan And Sara

October 20, 2017 • Ten years ago, the making of Tegan and Sara's fifth album — and divided reactions to it — created a rift between the twins that nearly tore them apart but eventually showed them a way forward.

Eminem's Presidential Dis Wasn't The Only Political Statement At BET Hip Hop Awards

In an extended freestyle during the BET Hip Hop Awards, Eminem went all-in on President Trump. YouTube hide caption

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Eminem's Presidential Dis Wasn't The Only Political Statement At BET Hip Hop Awards

October 11, 2017 • The rapper's condemnation of President Trump coincided with Luther Campbell's long overdue honors for taking hip-hop's freedom of speech fight all the way to the Supreme Court.

Nightmare Scenario: Concert Security Experts Grapple With Lessons Of Las Vegas

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Nightmare Scenario: Concert Security Experts Grapple With Lessons Of Las Vegas

October 7, 2017 • The Las Vegas shooting is a chilling reminder that big concerts are a soft target. And that the industry still has much work to do to improve security and minimize the damage from future incidents.

Nightmare Scenario: Concert Security Experts Grapple With Lessons Of Las Vegas

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How 'Ashes To Ashes' Put The First Act Of David Bowie's Career To Rest

David Bowie performing live in 1978. A new box set collects all of Bowie's albums released between 1977 and 1982. Dagmar/Courtesy of Rhino Records hide caption

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How 'Ashes To Ashes' Put The First Act Of David Bowie's Career To Rest

October 6, 2017 • Following a decade of relentless self-reinvention, one song signaled the beginning of a new persona for the shape-shifting pop star: one known simply as David Bowie.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers perform on Saturday Night Live after the release of Full Moon Fever in 1989. NBC/NBC via Getty Images hide caption

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Tom Petty Was Rock's Everyman

October 3, 2017 • His songs could sound tortured, weary, angry, knowing, defiant. But Tom Petty's music also possessed a great capacity for hard-won warmth.

Shania Twain On Being Respected And Finding Her Voice 'Now'

Shania Twain's new album, Now, is her first after a decade-and-a-half break. Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott/Courtesy of the artist

The Record

Shania Twain On Being Respected And Finding Her Voice 'Now'

September 30, 2017 • After nerve damage, divorce and a decade-and-a-half break, Twain has returned to the studio with a much-altered relationship to her instrument. "The mic's become a very good friend of mine," she says.

Hear Shania Twain on Weekend Edition Sunday

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Wednesday November 22, 2017

Friday November 17, 2017

Friday November 10, 2017

Review

The Old Taylor's Not Dead

Friday November 3, 2017

Sunday October 29, 2017

Johnny Clegg, A South African Superstar, Says Farewell

Thursday October 26, 2017

WXPN

Wednesday October 25, 2017

Monday October 23, 2017

Friday October 20, 2017

Wednesday October 11, 2017

Saturday October 7, 2017

Nightmare Scenario: Concert Security Experts Grapple With Lessons Of Las Vegas

Friday October 6, 2017

Tuesday October 3, 2017

Saturday September 30, 2017

Hear Shania Twain on Weekend Edition Sunday