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Jazz is (Still) Dangerous

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When we declare music a “universal language,” what space do we save for regional dialects and local customs? How has jazz evolved from a uniquely American export to a music that truly knows no borders? These and other questions hang in the air as we get ready to celebrate International Jazz Day, at a moment of roiling global tensions. It feels like a great time to connect with Kresten Osgood — a Danish drummer, composer and commentator, host of the podcast Dangerous Sounds. He joins us for a far-ranging conversation with Josh Jackson, sharing his perspective on the music and the mission.


Following the interview, Osgood played a solo drum improvisation. Watch here:

Kresten Osgood performs a solo drum improvisation

Josh Jackson is the associate general manager for programming and content at WRTI.
Nate Chinen has been writing about music for more than 25 years. He spent a dozen of them working as a critic for The New York Times, and helmed a long-running column for JazzTimes. As Editorial Director at WRTI, he oversees a range of classical and jazz coverage, and contributes regularly to NPR.