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Jazz pianist Dr. Billy Taylor is retiring from public performance this week, but will continue his educational endeavors. Taylor, who suffered a stroke three years ago, reflects on his deep friendships with many giants of the genre and the jazz scene of the 1940s.

Bill Summers has traced the rhythmic links of African, Caribbean and American music for many years. He draws on years spent with Herbie Hancock and his own group to discuss rhythms and beats.

The Turtle Island String Quartet consists of classically trained musicians who turned to jazz. The quartet has bended the lines between classical, jazz, blues and world music for two decades.

Lead singer Karen Peris of The Innocence Mission turns American standards into dreamy, jazzy lullabies on the group's sixth CD, Now The Day Is Over.

NPR's Piano Jazz and WBGO in Newark honor the jazz singer and pianist Bobby Short with a look back at two of his live performances. The encore presentations include an appearance on Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland.

Early in March, almost three months after the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami, 40 renowned pianists converged in New York for a concert to benefit victims of the disaster. The Faust Harrison "Pianothon" lasted from noon until midnight, with performances from Steve Kuhn, Philip Glass and Ursula Oppens.

The songwriter Harold Arlen was born 100 years ago Tuesday. Arlen isn't as well known as some of his contemporaries, but you probably know his songs.

Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny stops by NPR's Washington studios for an hour of live music. Metheny, on tour for his latest CD, The Way Up, talks with John Ydstie and callers about his approach to songwriting. Metheny's new album is a single, long piece divided into four parts.

Aug. 21 would have been the 100th birthday of the influential bandleader Count Basie. He's credited with taking the Kansas City style of jazz to a national and international audience. He helped launch the careers of Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Harry Edison, Helen Humes, and Jimmy Rushing, among others. Tom Vitale reports.

NPR's Tony Cox talks with Chicago jazz legend Von Freeman about the jazz scene in the Second City and his new CD, The Great Divide.