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Octavia Butler's novel Parable of the Sower — depicting a dystopian U.S. in 2024 — was published 30 years ago. Toshi Reagon's new musical retelling explores the web of past, present and future.

Host Liane Hansen talks to author David Berger about the photography of the late jazz bassist Milt Hinton. Berger has co-authored the book Playing the Changes: Milt Hinton's Life in Stories and Photographs.

The legendary jazz pianist and composer is best known for his time in New York City, where he developed his eccentric musical genius. But 90 years ago today, Thelonious Monk was born in the Southern city of Rocky Mount, N.C.

Threadgill's autobiography, written with Brent Hayes Edwards is called Easily Slip into Another World. His album, The Other One, is a three-movement composition written for a 12-piece ensemble.

Jazz drummer Max Roach died this week at the age of 83. He was one of the most accomplished and influential drummers of the 20th century, a master of polyrhythms and unpredictable beats.

Legendary jazz percussionist Max Roach is dead at 83. Having been associated with greats such as Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie, the self-taught musician wowed audiences throughout the world.

Legendary jazz drummer Max Roach died this week. He was 83. He got his first break filling in when Duke Ellington's drummer fell ill in 1940. He went on to become one of jazz's most important innovators, creating beats that would take the genre from swing to bebop to the avant-garde.

A concert pianist who bridged classical music, jazz and pop for more than 65 years, notably in his legendary tenure as conductor of the Philly Pops, Peter Nero died on Thursday in Eustis, Fla. He was 89.

NPR and WBGO present the annual Toast of the Nation New Year's jazz program. Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Davenport, Victor Goines, Ellis Marsalis, Peter Martin, Don Vappie, Reginald Veal and Herlin Riley conjure Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet in a musical mix. Hosted by Branford Marsalis.

The latest CD from New Orleans trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard is A Tale of God's Will, whose subtitle is "A Requiem for Katrina." Parts of the recording were heard in Spike Lee's HBO documentary When the Levees Broke.