Pianist Lara Downes and Pulitzer-winning author Salamishah Tillet discuss Nina Simone and one of her best-known songs at her lovingly restored birthplace in Tryon, N.C.

The record executive was instrumental in shepherding the successful careers of a number of monumental music stars, including Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, Billy Joel and Whitney Houston.

The fearless free-funk and jazz artist, a student of Ornette Coleman's Harmolodics concept, followed his unorthodox path to a singular five-decade career.

Bill Frisell performs a song made famous by Barbra Streisand, live for World Cafe.

Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck's joint project, which took more than 20 years to finalize, sees them collaborate with other folk musicians and singers.

The song, penned before American Independence by a slave trader turned abolitionist, has remained a source of comfort, inspiration and redemption.

Gabriela Lena Frank's first opera, in its Met debut, sees late Mexican painter Frida Kahlo leaving the underworld on the Day of the Dead to be reunited with her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera.

The composer created her own symphonic fable that weaves Andean cosmology with the natural world.

For more than 60 years, this maestro of magic has collaborated with towering figures. Now on a new record, he turns to family.

Chicago is hosting this year's International Jazz Day. NPR's A Martinez speaks with Nate Chinen, who is covering the event for Philadelphia's WRTI jazz station.