Apr 19 Watch 3:36 Why artists are responsible for moving society forward Composer and artist Samora Abayomi Pinderhughes wants to make music that makes listeners live differently. Pinderhughes gives his Brief but Spectacular take on his responsibility as an artist. Continue watching
Mar 03 Watch 7:39 Female jazz musicians raise their voices against sexism By Ivette Feliciano, Zachary Green At this year’s Winter Jazzfest in New York, one of the world’s biggest jazz festivals, women took center stage in more ways than one. In a year when more than a third of the festival’s acts had female bandleaders --… Continue watching
Jan 23 Watch 3:26 Remembering Hugh Masekela, master musician who fought for South African freedom By Jeffrey Brown Over the course of his six-decade career, Hugh Masekela’s jazz and anti-apartheid activism made him a beloved international figure. In exile, he used his music as a form of activism to call for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and freedom… Continue watching
Oct 19 WATCH: Trombone Shorty joins a 'second line' in New Orleans By Anne Azzi Davenport Trombone Shorty said he always makes a point of dropping by his old neighborhood when he stops home from his tours. Continue reading
Jul 14 Watch 7:00 Why Copenhagen is becoming the jazz capital of the world By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 24 Watch 'La La Land' gets nostalgic for classic Hollywood musicals By PBS News Hour Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz musician, begin a love affair, but the stresses of the spotlight take a toll on their relationship. That’s the story “La La Land,” a modern movie musical about beating the odds that… Continue watching
Dec 26 Watch 2:45 Jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd on his lifelong intoxication with music By Frank Carlson For the latest installment in our music series, the NewsHour’s Frank Carlson caught up with jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd. Lloyd reflects on his lifelong love of music, his childhood in the musical haven of Memphis and why he believes jazz… Continue watching
Dec 06 Watch 6:37 The 'white heat' and vulnerability of improvisational jazz By PBS News Hour What is improvisational jazz all about? Saxophonist Joshua Redman and pianist Brad Mehldau agree that the answer is vulnerability. Their musical genre requires players to follow one another’s lead -- often letting another performer dictate the musical conversation. Jeffrey Brown… Continue watching
Nov 27 Watch 7:56 With 'Day Breaks,' Norah Jones builds on signature sound By PBS News Hour This week, just back from Europe, singer and songwriter Norah Jones begins the East Coast leg of her concert tour to promote her latest album, “Day Breaks.” The album builds on the style of her 2002 debut “Come Away With… Continue watching
Mar 21 Watch 6:19 50 years on, a Monday night tradition keeps the Village Vanguard swinging By PBS News Hour, Frank Carlson At the world famous Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City, Monday nights have meant big band music for 50 years, stretching back to the days of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. For the jazz impresarios there today, playing… Continue watching