E-mail a friendSeptember 20, 2007
Author Junot Diaz says his long-awaited debut novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, is bizarre and unique. Jazz trumpeter Christian Scott comments on wanting to change the musical climate and also performs a track from his new CD, "Anthem."
Junot Diaz
Junot Diaz
Named by The New Yorker as one of the 20 top writers for the 21st century, Junot Diaz first gained notice with his best-selling short story collection, Drown. His long-awaited first novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, was recently published to critical acclaim. Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic and, at age 6, immigrated to the U.S. with his family. He earned his MFA from Cornell University, and his fiction has appeared in The Paris Review and African Voices. He teaches writing at MIT.
Christian Scott
Christian Scott
Jazz artist wants kids to grow up saying, "My art is valid because I am valid." (2:08)
Blending jazz, rock and funk, Christian Scott has been pegged as one of the hottest new stars to emerge on the jazz scene. His major label debut, "Rewind That," earned a Grammy nod and opened the doors to collaborations with Prince and Randy Jackson. The New Orleans native began playing the trumpet at age 12, studied his craft at the Berklee College of Music—from which he graduated earlier than the average student—and began playing on the road at 16. "Anthem" is Scott's highly anticipated sophomore CD.