Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 12:32 pm
American soprano Evelyn Lear — whose roles ranged from title role in Berg's Lulu to Mozart to Sondheim — died at age 86 Monday at a nursing home, though the cause was not announced. (Her late husband of more than fifty years, the bass-baritone Thomas Stewart, died six years ago.)
In American-born producer Maga Bo's world, the berimbau — a type of bow native to Brazil — becomes an element in a time-traveling collage of organic sounds. On his new album, Quilombo do Futuro, vibrating strings, booming drumheads and vocal melodies that might go back centuries coexist with rhythmic sound effects and club-friendly beats.
Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 3:23 pm
Got an idea for a classical cartoon, or a reaction to this one? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Pablo Helguera is a New York-based artist working with sculpture, drawing, photography and performance. You can see more of his work atArtworld Salonand on his ownsite.
The friendship between Marian McPartland and Dick Hyman goes back over 30 years — the two say they most likely met for the first time in the 1960s at the Cookery, an old Greenwich Village jazz club. Four-hand piano duets there eventually led to another periodic musical partnership that included the late classical pianist Ruth Laredo.
Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 4:27 pm
With Supreme blogger Patrick Jarenwattananon on vacation, we asked jazz music directors from around public radio to highlight songs that have been in heavy rotation at their stations. Today's pick comes from Gary Walker, music director at WBGO in Newark, N.J.
Alex Anwandter is one of the musicians KCRW's Raul Campos is looking forward to seeing at the Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York. Anwandter's new album, Rebeldes, came out on June 26.
Credit courtesy of the artist
Profetas' lead singer Antombo Langangui brings the house down with her strong vocals and playful yet poignant lyrics.
Credit Salvador Farfan / KCRW
Raul Campos hosts a Latin Alternative show on KCRW in Santa Monica, Calif.
Every July, fans of Latin alternative music gather in New York for the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) to see and hear their favorite bands and maybe catch a peek at artists who will become big stars.
For the third year, Alt.Latino is packing our bags for a week of panel discussions, musical showcases, and opportunities to meet and greet bands and industry folks.
At the Newport Jazz Festival, we're visiting the Quad and Harbor Stages, where the first rows of audience sit snug up to the performer. With her understated style, love of the lyric and freedom, Gretchen Parlato makes that closeness work. Everyone leans in and listens.
In a good jazz rhythm section, the players function independently and as one. Their parts and accents crisscross and reinforce each other, interlocking like West African drummers. Beyond that, the bass is a band's ground floor. When it changes up, the earth shifts under all the players' feet. From moment to moment, Linda Oh's bass prowls or gallops, takes giant downward leaps, or stands its ground.
Ecstatic fans cheer for The Head and the Heart as they perform on the Fort Stage at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival.
Credit MIO
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Credit MIO
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Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Like the storm looming overhead, Megafaun whispered and raged through a set of classic-rock traditionalism with a real ear for experimentation.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Blitzen Trapper's breezy classic-rock vibe brought a little Grateful Dead love to a drenched Newport audience.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Opening with Woody Guthrie's "Christ for President," Wilco played a two-hour career-spanning set that culminated in an encore featuring Guthrie's granddaughter, Sarah Lee.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Crowd members try to stay dry during an downpour.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Fans settle in and snuggle up at Fort Adams State Park, surrounded by Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Arlo Guthrie plays with The Guthrie Family Reunion at the Newport Folk Festival moments before being surrounded by his grandchildren on stage.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Over 10,000 people are gathered at the Newport Folk Festival this weekend.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Getting some sun during Apache Relay's show at the Harbor Stage.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
The appropriately spirited old-time group Spirit Family Reunion won over the Harbor Stage crowd.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
With inclement weather in the forecast, folk fans from around the world came prepared.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
At Newport, Alabama Shakes' music reached ecstatic, rafter-shaking heights with singer Brittany Howard dominating the proceedings.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
"This is a folk festival right?" asks Sharon Van Etten in the middle of a raucous set.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
The Swedish sister act in First Aid Kit mixed wearily winsome mountain music with a welcome sunny side.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on his tippy-toes at the Fort Stage.
Credit Erik Jacobs for NPR
Jim James' hair and seersucker suit were in full force during My Morning Jacket's set at the Fort Stage.
The summer of 2012 marks the centennial of the birth of American folk icon Woody Guthrie, on July 14, 1912. A poet of the people, Guthrie wrote some of America's most important songs, including "This Land Is Your Land." He penned ballads that captured the heart of hard economic times and war.
While Guthrie left a lasting mark on music, culture and politics, he struggled with family poverty, tragedies and personal demons.
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