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This year supplied no shortage of notable and often inspiring music — sounds that flirt in and outside jazz. Here are a few you should listen to.The…

Among its questions, the committee is probing any conversations Kevin McCarthy had with former President Donald Trump on the day of the Capitol attack.

Not only was Anne Donovan a legendary and pioneering figure in women's basketball, she was also one of the kindest and thoughtful people I have ever met.…

During the wintertime, there’s always an avalanche of music-related storylines hitting our Inbox. Between the results of 2019 NPR Jazz Critics Poll and a…

The pair led the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6 , 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

An album entitled Renaissance is long overdue for the widely acclaimed Renaissance Man Marcus Miller. In among the most enviable careers in music, Miller is a two-time GRAMMY®-winner and the composer/producer of ten critically acclaimed and genre-defying albums (seven studio and three live). Even the most devoted follower may be astonished to realize that Renaissance is only his eighth studio project since his 1983 debut, Suddenly, considering the abundance of occasions Miller’s name has appeared within album credits and that he has dazzled with performances, compositions and productions – in the company of some of the world’s most respected and accomplished players and superstars - from the mid-`70s to the present.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Marcus is highly proficient as a keyboardist, clarinetist/bass clarinetist and, primarily, as a world-renowned electric bassist, topping critics' and readers' polls for three decades. His résumé as an A-list player brims with over 500 recording credits as a sideman on albums across the spectrum of musical styles: rock (Donald Fagen and Eric Clapton), jazz (George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Sample, Wayne Shorter and Grover Washington, Jr.), pop (Roberta Flack, Paul Simon and Mariah Carey), R&B (Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan), hip-hop (Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg), blues (Z.Z. Hill), new wave (Billy Idol), smooth jazz (Al Jarreau and Dave Koz) and opera (collaborations with tenor Kenn Hicks and soprano Kathleen Battle).

As a film music pro, Miller rose from writing the go-go party classic "Da Butt" for Spike Lee's "School Daze" to becoming the go-to composer for 20+ films (from the documentary “1 Love” to the animated children’s fable “The Trumpet and The Swan” to the Eddie Murphy/Halle Berry classic “Boomerang”).

As a producer, writer and player, he was the last primary collaborator of jazz legend Miles Davis, contributing the composition and album “Tutu” to the canon of contemporary jazz music. The breadth of his collaborative talents were best showcased in his work with the late, great soul man Luther Vandross, contributing to well over half of his albums as a producer, composer and/or player on a string of hits capped by "Power of Love/Love Power" for which Marcus won his first GRAMMY®, 1991’s R&B Song of the Year.

And starting with David Sanborn's 1980 album Hideaway and its follow-up Voyeur (for which the alto sax giant won a Grammy performing Marcus' composition "All I Need is You"), Marcus not only left an indelible mark on Sanborn’s distinctive sound, he laid the often-copied blueprint for the coolest of contemporary jazz sounds.

Style, soul and intense professionalism have set Marcus Miller at the top of his game for three decades now. Marcus was born in 1959 and raised in a musical family that includes his father, William Miller (a church organist and choir director) and jazz pianist Wynton Kelly. By 13, Marcus was proficient on clarinet, piano and bass guitar, and already writing songs. Two years later he was working regularly in New York City, eventually playing bass and writing music for jazz flutist Bobbi Humphrey and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith. Miller soon became a top call session musician, gracing well over 500 albums, recording with musicians and in countries around the globe - from Frank Sinatra and Elton John to Bill Withers and LL Cool J.

After two R&B-leaning solo albums for Warner Bros. in the `80s followed by co-leading The Jamaica Boys (with drummer Lenny White and singer Mark Stevens), Marcus took a hiatus then returned rejuvenated with the galvanizing The Sun Don't Lie (1993) and Tales (1995), both of which found him brilliantly connecting the dots of Black music's evolution. Following the fan-demanded Live and More in 1997, Miller released M2 ("M-Squared") on his own 3 Deuces Records label and won his second GRAMMY®, 2001’s Best Contemporary Jazz Album. A second double live CD, The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg (2003) came next, followed by Silver Rain (2005) and Free (2008) featuring his GRAMMY®-nominated crowd-rouser of Middle Eastern Funk, “Blast.”

2007 found Marcus in a new realm, as host of the North Sea Jazz Cruise, followed by the Playboy Jazz Cruise in 2009 and subsequent Smooth Jazz Cruises annually. In 2008, he co-led the all-star bass trio S.M.V. with Stanley Clarke and Victor Wooten for an album (entitled Thunder) followed by an extensive world tour. A concert Marcus arranged and produced with his own band and The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra featuring trumpeter Roy Hargrove and vocalist Raul Midón was recorded the same year and subsequently released as A Night in Monte-Carlo. In the fall of 2009, Marcus put together a new band of young musicians for “Tutu Revisited” - a project that started as a special one night only event to coincide with the acclaimed We Want Miles exhibit at Cité de la Musique in Paris - then became a two-year global sensation beautifully captured for posterity on the CD/DVD Tutu Revisited featuring Christian Scott. In 2011 Marcus went on from Tutu Revisited to co-lead another trio DMS, a funk-jazz collaboration with George Duke and David Sanborn. In the summer of 2012 Marcus conceived of and produced the “Tribute to Miles” tour, a 9-city tour of Europe with fellow Davis alumni Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, in which they presented their unique vision of every era of Miles’ music.

In the midst of all of his tours, Miller still miraculously made time to continue working in the studio, co-producing George Benson’s concept album Songs & Stories and Dave Koz’s GRAMMY®--nominated CD Hello Tomorrow. He also co-produced a track with Herbie Hancock and internationally renowned singer Juanes entitled “La Tierra” for Hancock’s ambitious The Imagine Project.

Now, duly fortified and deeply inspired, Marcus Miller returns to composing and exploring new music of his own on Renaissance with a sharper focus than ever before, a new band of curious and like-minded young musicians, and a mission to travel the world – country by country, city by city, venue by venue – to take the message of this musical movement straight to the hearts, souls and minds of the people.

On this episode of The Art of the Story, legendary drummer Lenny White chats with WBGO's Doug Doyle about a special JALC concert in his honor

Law enforcement and basketball come together in this latest edition of SportsJam as host Doug Doyle is joined by JUCO Hall of Fame Basketball Coach and Retired Federal Agent Bob Starkman and and legendary former FBI Agent Joseph D. Pistone (Donnie Brasco).

Bloomingdale School of Music presents a free Faculty Concert Series on select Friday evenings at the David Greer Recital Hall on 323 West 108th Street. The 2021-2022 season will be an exciting and diverse series with 14 performances in a wide variety of genres. For over 20 years Bloomingdale has presented its faculty, as well as guest artists, in concerts including classical music, jazz, and world music designed specifically for children. This FREE concert series has established itself a vital part of the musical life of the Upper West Side. After a year of virtual concerts, this season will take place in-person in our newly renovated recital hall. Attendees MUST RSVP as Covid Guidelines have reduced the seating capacity in the hall. For more information and to RSVP, visit bsmny.org/events. Faculty Concert: Music of Anthony Branker Friday, November 5, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eli Asher, trumpet Brandon Vazquez, trumpet Michael Cochrane, piano Kevin Farrell, bass Chris Carroll, drums  Eli Asher is joined by BSM faculty and guest performers in this special tribute to noted jazz composer, trumpeter, and educator, Dr. Anthony D.J. Branker. Afterward, please join in a celebration of Bloomingdale's 57th birthday with a reception featuring wonderful music and light refreshments.  RSVP here Faculty Concert: Celebrating Jack Beeson Friday, November 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM Marc Peloquin, piano Christine Browning, soprano A special 100th anniversary celebration of American composer Jack Beeson. RSVP here Faculty Concert: Musical Portraits Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM Weiwei Zhang, piano Olga Gurevich, piano  This program highlights the piano in imaginative and scintillating works by such composers as Debussy, Prokofiev, Ravel, and Tan Dun. RSVP here Holiday Concert Friday, December 17, 2021 at 7:00 PM Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with a concert featuring faculty and students in music of the season. A festive treat to spice up your December!  For the Love of... Friday, February 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM Christine Browning, soprano  A program of vocal works featuring guest tenor Christopher Trapani and members of the BSM Broadway Ensemble. Music from various operas and Broadway musicals that explore love in all shapes, sizes, and circumstances.  The Piano Music of Ed Bland Friday, February 18 at 7:00 PM Judith Olson, piano  In honor of Black History Month, Judith Olson performs works by African-American composer Ed Bland (1926-2013), with whom she worked for many years.  Elegance and Exuberance Friday, March 4, 2021 at 7:00 PM Roberto Hidalgo, piano Theresa Salomon, violin  Music of elegance and exuberance is celebrated in this program of music for violin and piano by Mozart and Franck. The Japanese Koto and the Music of Yumi Kurosawa Friday, March 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM Eric Phinney, tabla Naho Parrini, violin Yumi Kurosawa, a master of the 21 string koto, Japan's national instrument, will be joined by BSM faculty members Eric Phinney and Naho Parrini, in a program featuring her innovative compositions for koto, tabla, and violin.  Dance in the Light Friday, April 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM Margalit Cantor, Baroque cello A program of sonorous joy featuring some of the most charming and popular Baroque music ever written, performed on period instruments by the Dorian Baroque ensemble.  Music for Guitar & Piano: Bach | Carulli | Cordero Friday, April 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM José Maldonado, guitar Tim McCullough, piano An evocative program of duets for guitar and piano featuring the music of Bach, Ferdinando Carulli, and Ernesto Cordero.  Trios in Technicolor Friday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM Molly Aronson, cello Olga Gurevich, piano Claudia Schaer, violin Trios in Technicolor will allow audiences to enjoy the rich range of hues produced by the violin, cello, and piano, featuring works that directly draw inspiration from the color palette.  Starmaker Machinery III: The Illogical Mixtape Friday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM  Mark Mollica, electric guitar This concert will feature jazz faculty Mark Mollica's arrangements of familiar tunes put into the capable hands of his band of improvisers.  These concerts are part of Bloomingdale School of Music's 50-year commitment to cultivating a sense of unification and equality in their community and providing access to high quality music with its highly accomplished faculty performing. "Our faculty are excited to be back and perform for a live audience again. The last year has been difficult for professional performing artists in the NYC area and we are thrilled to be able to present such talented artists from our own school," says Executive Director, Erika Atkins. "This series offers our neighborhood as well as the school community the opportunity to experience professional performances in the intimate setting of Bloomingdale's David Greer Concert Hall – for no cost." Founded in 1964, Bloomingdale School of Music is dedicated to the belief that music changes lives and everyone should have access to high-quality music education regardless of economic status, race, religion, ability level, or gender. Bloomingdale is a music-driven community center where all are welcome to join and learn about music from top faculty. We are dedicated to our mission – to make music education accessible to all who want to learn – and remain focused on supporting this mission through our values. www.bsmny.org/

Sets at 7.30pm + 9.30pm ET
Bassist, composer, and singer Mali Obomsawin (of Odanak First Nation) and her band deliver a captivating performance that feels both timeless and ancient. Exploring the dissonance of colonization and the sanctity of Indigenous lineage, Obomsawin's debut album "Sweet Tooth" offers a foray into Indigenous joy and struggle with folk songs from her community and modern sounds in the tradition of improvised music. Timely and intimate, Sweet Tooth foregrounds the distinctly Indigenous contributions to jazz music, and gives a unique opportunity for audiences to reflect on the Indigenous history of the Northeastern US. Do not miss this album release show!
Mali Obomsawin -bass, vocals
Miriam Elhajli -guitar, vocals
Allison Burik -bass clarinet
Noah Campbell -tenor sax
Taylor Ho Bynum -cornet
Tomas Fujiwara -drums