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Julia Keefe’s Jazz
The young musician discusses the joys of improvisation and her new tribute to fellow American Indian artist Mildred Bailey
April 09, 2009 |
By Katy June-Friesen
For Smithsonian, Mangione Memorabilia 'Feels So Good'
The jazz flugelhornist and composer kicks off Jazz History Month with a donation to the National Museum of American History
April 03, 2009 |
By Jeff Campagna
Benny Goodman's Clarinet
Late in his career, jazz musician Benny Goodman favored a Parisian “licorice stick” as his instrument of choice
April 2009 |
By Owen Edwards
Dr. John's Prognosis
The blues and rock musician shares stories of his wild past and his concerns for the future.
March 01, 2009 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Q and A: Wanda Jackson
In the 1950s, Wanda Jackson was one of the first women to record rock 'n' roll.
November 2008 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Rhythm and Identity
A Q&A with Bobby Sanabria, musician, composer and professor of Latin jazz
September 15, 2008 |
By Robin T. Reid
Who Do You Love?
Bo Diddley's beat changed the course of rock music. And his lyrics evoked a history that reached all the way to Africa.
August 2008 |
By Ned Sublette
Ivory Merchant
Composer Irving Berlin wrote scores of hits on his custom-built instrument
May 2008 |
By Owen Edwards
Garth Brooks
Retired country star garth brooks donated a collection of mementos to the American History museum, including his trademark cowboy hat, an acoustic guitar, a gold record and a handwritten lyric sheet.
February 2008 |
By Jess Blumberg
One Man Band
The next Bob Dylan? Maybe. Sufjan Stevens' honest sound and stark lyrics speak volumes to a new generation. And he plays all the instruments
October 2007 |
By Nic Harcourt
Russian Idol
Moscow-born Regina Spektor draws on classical music roots to create and perform pop songs of rare originality
October 2007 |
By Caryn Ganz
High Scorer
Composer Nico Muhly wowed them at Carnegie Hall and the New York Public Library
October 2007 |
By Tim Page
Keeper of the Keys
Pianist Jason Moran laces his strikingly original music with the soulful sounds of jazz greats
October 2007 |
By Jamie Katz
The Curiosity of Cats
When the musical opened on Broadway, 25 years ago, few predicted its amazing success—or what it would mean for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber
October 2007 |
By Michael Walsh
Elvis Lives!
Thirty years after the King's death, there's still a whole lotta shakin' goin' on, thanks to legions of "tribute artists"
August 2007 |
By David Zax
Blues Legend John Cephas On His Music
Piedmont-style blues guitarist John Cephas played at the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 2007 |
By David Zax
Encore! Encore!
Lorenzo Da Ponte was a hit in Europe: a courtier, a cad, the librettist for Mozart's finest operas. But the New World truly tested his creative powers.
September 2006 |
By Christopher Porterfield
Visionary Virtuoso
Ray Charles' fusion of gospel and blues changed the face of American popular music
March 2006 |
By Owen Edwards
Mozart: In Search of the Roots of Genius
On the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth, the author scours Salzburg and Vienna for traces of the master's mischievous spirit
February 2006 |
By Edward Rothstein
