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The Big Ears Festival in Knoxville always books a wide range of artists, but this year something particular was afoot.

In 1963, a jazz-obsessed, college-educated black Beat poet in New York wrote a "theoretical endeavor" linking the sociopolitical and the sonic. A half-century later, Amiri Baraka's book remains the first of its kind — and among the most important — in African-American studies.

Hard to define, for one thing. But in our disorienting digital age, these image-savvy, genre-fluid, proficient yet irreverent artists can seem like the only ones who've gleefully cracked the code.

Morgiane, perhaps the oldest opera by a Black American, finally receives its full public performance, shedding light on the forgotten heyday of opera in New Orleans.

Toyota and Ford won the most awards in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which came out today. Vehicles made by Toyota led the way with eight awards, while Ford models received three. In general, vehicle dependability was the best since 1990, J.D. Power says.

The cooking show, which will have its semi-finals next week, pits Indian chefs against Pakistani chefs. It exploits the long rivalry between the two countries — something that has rarely been a joking matter.

Host Marian McPartland calls Dearie an "incandescent singer and pianist" whose "delicate, swinging style makes every song a musical gem." The vocalist and pianist died this past year of natural causes. Piano Jazz remembers her life and music in an archival interview and performance.

The pianist loves water and music. Inspired by a trip along the Pacific Northwest, The Coastal Suite spins out as one uninterrupted arc.

NPR's Mike Pesca has a recap of Friday's NCAA tournament action, in rhyme.

But flutist Yukie Ota didn't let a little insect throw her off her game at the Carl Nielsen International Flute Competition.