Search results for

During the 1940s and '50s, Dameron focused his considerable compositional talents on the emerging jazz style called bebop. During a relatively brief period, Dameron composed a body of work that helped define and expand the parameters of this music.

When there is loss, hope or joy, music is easily shared among cultures, even without words. In the spirit of recovery, this installment of Take Five showcases five talented Japanese jazz artists.

Every successful big band leader featured brilliant soloists, but Duke Ellington spotlighted his men apart from the rest. Ellington specifically targeted his musicians' strengths and accentuated those attributes.

The dream of social justice resulted in one of the most creative periods in jazz history. Hear some of the musicians who wielded their instruments in the pursuit of social harmony and change.

We asked listeners to name the best opening track on an album — and you responded with roughly 800 songs. Join host Bob Boilen, author Tom Moon and Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein as they look at what an opening track means to an album.

While the most curious jazz album of 2010 features robots playing the works of guitar wizard Pat Metheny, we're not ready just yet to cave into our new jazz robot overlords. Outside of the robotic army, we pick the best new jazz albums 2010 has had to offer.

Baritone saxophonist Josh Sinton has a healthy obsession with the music of Steve Lacy, who remains an enduring figure in jazz. With the recent release of Transit, his second volume of Lacy originals, Sinton selects five key Lacy performances and explains why they're important.

There are no people named Claudia in the Claudia Quintet, but there is a fantastic drummer and composer named John Hollenbeck. His tunes crib from anywhere between minimalism and math-rock, while the band transforms it all into a sort of throbbing, cinematic and wacky jazz.

Before nailing down the title "birthplace of rock 'n' roll," Memphis and West Memphis made many great contributions to early acoustic and electric blues.

Inspired by their own album of duets, we asked the jazzmen to name their favorite pairings.