NPR Music - JAZZ

Legendary Pianist Horace Silver Dies At 85 The bandleader and composer shifted the jazz landscape of the 1950s and '60s with his bluesy, funky music. Along the way, he mentored major musicians and devised future jazz standards. Read this story

MUSIC INTERVIEWS Bobby Hutcherson's Good Vibes For Fiery Times "You could stop on a street corner and hear Malcolm X," the vibraphonist says of 1960s New York, where he made his controversial debut as a bandleader. His new Blue Note album is Enjoy The View. Read this story

MUSIC INTERVIEWS 'SNL' Music Director Writes A Finnish 'Prescription' Saxophonist Lenny Pickett, seen every week on TV, just released a new album. He says working with Finland's UMO Jazz Orchestra is only one of many "uncommon expressions" in his career. Read this story

MUSIC The Rhythm That's A Way Of Living The guaguanco is one of three rhythmic patterns that live under the umbrella of the rumba. It was once subversive and now serves to bring drummers and singers and dancers together. Read this story

MUSIC NEWS Can't Follow The Beat? Just Add Butter Certain musical rhythms trip us up: We try to dance or count along and keep losing our place. Two musicians explain what makes some beats so slippery, and what butter has to do with making them stick. Read this story