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So far, 2009 has been the year of Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. But if you're looking for music gift ideas beyond the blockbusters, Weekend Edition director Ned Wharton picks a few hidden gems.

Many younger artists are making a strong case to be the future of the genre — and the future looks bright. All but three musicians on Shaunna Morrison Machosky's Top 10 list are under the age of 40, and they all brush aside any notion of jazz being in a rut.

Why not listen to some holiday music few have heard in a while? Try an offering from the father of American choral music, or even folk music dating to the Middle Ages.

Locomotives churning across America's vast open landscape provided plenty of fodder for jazz composers in the early 20th century. Railroads symbolized freedom, escape and opportunity for countless musicians, many of whom lived a vagabond lifestyle, always in pursuit of the next gig.

These days in jazz, great records are being made by hot new trumpeters, steel-lunged veterans, New Orleans stars and an "orchestra" of young French musicians. Preview new releases by Ambrose Akinmusire, The Cookers, Rebirth Brass Band and France's ONJ.

If being hopped up on baskets full of sugary springtime sweets doesn't put a spring in your step, then here are five songs to help you hop into the Easter spirit.

From Argentine improvisations to the dark night of a Viennese songwriter, NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and host Guy Raz spin a multifarious mix of new releases.

On this edition of All Songs Considered, Jonsi talks about his new solo album, Go, and shares some of the songs that have helped shape his own music.

No, no — the headline's not referring to you. Heaven forbid. But people like you listen to a lot of cool and/or unusual music, and refuse to sample the good stuff right under their noses because it's "mainstream." It's best not to think these hipsters omniscient — after all, there's lots of great music they're too cool to notice. Here are 10 examples from 2009.

From American modernism to Mendelssohn and the massive sound of Mahler, a wide-ranging top 10 list.