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Jazz 'News & Notes' takes an in-depth look at the evolution, the sound, and the future of jazz music with profiles, feature reports and roundtable conversations.
Special Series

Jazz

Talented But Overlooked Jazz Artists

We've talked this month about the jazz greats, but what about the others? Many musicians have not won the recognition that they deserve — including Grammy-Award winning Billy Childs and singer Robert McCarther. They join Farai Chideya to help wrap up our series on jazz.

Talented But Overlooked Jazz Artists

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Jazz Singer Nnenna Freelon Shares Influences

Over the years, jazz songstress and six-time Grammy Award nominee, Nnenna Freelon, has earned a reputation as a fierce singer and captivating performer. NPR's Tony Cox talks with Freelon about her career and how female artists have affected the genre.

Jazz Singer Nnenna Freelon Shares Influences

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Understanding Women's Influence On Jazz

Usually when we think of women in jazz, we think of singers like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. But female jazz players cannot be overlooked: Women have played almost every instrument, in every style, during every era of the music's history. For more, NPR's Tony Cox talks with jazz historian Linda Dahl.

Understanding Women's Influence On Jazz

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Exploring Jazz Music Overseas

As our series on jazz continues, we explore how the sound is developing in far-flung places. For more on the genre's reach abroad, NPR's Tony Cox talks with bass clarinetist and multireedist, Bennie Maupin; flautist and conductor, James Newton; and saxophonist David Murray.

Exploring Jazz Music Overseas

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Inside Jazz Hot Spots Around the Nation

As our series on jazz continues, Farai Chideya uncovers the remaining American jazz meccas and finds out how live venues have shaped the art of jazz. Joining in are Ron Sturm, owner of the Iridium Jazz Club; musician Dennis Winslett; and Peter Williams, artistic director of Yoshi's Jazz Club.

Inside Jazz Hot Spots Around the Nation

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A Jazz Journey From Its New Orleans Birthplace

We continue our jazz series with a look at the legacy of New Orleans jazz music. Farai Chideya talks with three notable Crescent City musicians: Irma Thomas, who is known as the queen of New Orleans soul; trumpeter and bandleader Irvin Mayfield; and Greg Davis, a member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

A Jazz Journey From Its New Orleans Birthplace

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The Intersection of Jazz and Social Protest

Jazz music was forged by social struggle. America's cultural cauldron produced music, which criticized segregation with candor, sadness, and humor. For more, Farai Chideya speaks with jazz expert Robert O'Mealy.

The Intersection of Jazz and Social Protest

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Inside the Culture of Jazz

We continue our series on jazz with a look at a new generation of players who love the music, even though it doesn't sell big. Jazz trumpter Nicholas Payton and drummer Kendrick Scott give us their take on why jazz is still a music of the people.

Inside the Culture of Jazz

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What Is Jazz?

There's no question that jazz is the foundation of black music. But understanding the art form can be a daunting challenge. This month, News & Notes is focusing on America's classical music — jazz. Today, we're taking a crash course with three renowned experts.

What Is Jazz?

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There are multi-instrumentalists and then there's Morgan Guerin

Morgan Guerin Chase Guerin/Courtesy of Artist hide caption

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Chase Guerin/Courtesy of Artist

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

There are multi-instrumentalists and then there's Morgan Guerin

WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center

Multi-instrumentalist, engineer, composer and producer Morgan Guerin invites us to his home studio to hear tracks from his new, lush, genre-bending record, Tales of the Facade.

There are multi-instrumentalists and then there's Morgan Guerin

'Hello there, I'm Hazel Scott': Jazz's unsung artist-activist

circa 1955: Studio portrait of Trinidadian-born jazz pianist and vocalist Hazel Scott, wearing a black dress with thin sheer panels, leaning against a white piano. Scott trained at the Julliard School. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America: Video Episodes And Shorts

'Hello there, I'm Hazel Scott': Jazz's unsung artist-activist

Jazz Night shines a light on the artistry and activism of pianist and singer Hazel Scott, and the efforts to recover her legacy.

At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

Jazz singer Sheila Jordan, then 84, performs at the 21st annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in New York City's Tompkins Square Park on Aug. 25, 2013. Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images hide caption

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Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center

She's among the last living beboppers, one of the first singers on Blue Note and a pioneer of voice and bass. The legendary Sheila Jordan joins Christian McBride for a career-spanning conversation.

At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

Youngbloods 2023 brass, from left to right: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever, Summer Camargo Graphics: Jackie Lay for NPR hide caption

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Graphics: Jackie Lay for NPR

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center

The three brass artists featured in our Youngbloods series — trumpeters Giveton Gelin and Summer Camargo, along with trombonist Kalia Vandever — infuse new energy into today's jazz scene.

Youngbloods, Brass: Giveton Gelin, Kalia Vandever and Summer Camargo

An Elmo Hope centennial celebration: Giving a jazz piano pioneer his due

Jazz Night in America celebrates the centennial of influential pianist Elmo Hope. Hear selections from his rare discography, pictured above. Collage by NPR hide caption

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Collage by NPR

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

An Elmo Hope centennial celebration: Giving a jazz piano pioneer his due

WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center

One hundred years after his birth in 1923, we celebrate the legacy of Elmo Hope — one of the most influential pianists you've probably never heard of.

An Elmo Hope centennial celebration: Giving a jazz piano pioneer his due

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