Nate Chinen

In The Listeners, a seductive cult leader and an unexplainable noise divides an innocent community and warps reality. Mazzoli's opera receives its U.S. premiere in Philadelphia.

A saxophonist of otherworldly gusto, two pianists of impulsive eloquence and a critic with a pen nearly as sharp as his ears are the latest selections for the the nation's highest honor for jazz.

Grammy-winning bassist and vocalist esperanza spalding will soon celebrate the release of 'Milton + esperanza,' a collaboration with Brazilian music icon Milton Nascimento. First, she's bringing her songs on tour.

WRTI's Nate Chinen and NPR Music's Sheldon Pearce get all wrapped up in the amniotic embrace of a new album by a guru of the L.A. ambient-jazz scene; the new album by Carlos Niño & Friends is called Placenta. Also: The fourth album by DIIV sees the indie rock group leaning into shoegaze-inspired sounds, and Andrew Bird creates an album in tribute to the "Golden Era" jazz tunes of the 1930s and '40s.

The adult contemporary star, who became a reluctant giant of smooth jazz in the 1980s, died on Sunday after a six-year battle with prostate cancer.

The composer and percussionist was "shocked beyond belief" after hearing the news on Monday afternoon.

"The rhythm is really what makes it magical," says pianist Marcus Roberts of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue,' first heard a century ago. Before he performed the piece with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Roberts stopped by WRTI to talk about its legacy with Nate Chinen.

Two of the new Grammy categories reflect trends that are booming among musicians and the industry.

An impromptu jam of "Compared to What" gave McCann a career-defining moment at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival.

The best jazz albums of the year feel supercharged with the spirit of discovery, but also offer revelations — both comforting and challenging — the deeper you dig.