Music

May 17, 2011 10:09 AM

Belly dancers and saxophones: a glimpse at the history of Twin Cities jazz

Minnesota might not be the first place you think of when you think of jazz, but it has a surprisingly vibrant history - according to jazz historian Jay Goetting.

by Cathy Wurzer

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May 16, 2011 12:00 AM

Songs about me: narcissism in popular music

A recent analysis of the last three decades of hit song lyrics shows a trend in recent years toward narcissism and hostility in popular music. Is today's popular music indicative of increasing self-absorption, or is defining a generation by the Billboard charts a bit of a stretch?

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May 11, 2011 12:00 AM

Musician authors on Midmorning

Excerpts from Kerri Miller's conversations with three well-known musicians who have also written books.

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April 29, 2011 2:04 PM

St. Olaf jazz band recognized by Downbeat magazine

Downbeat magazine is honoring a jazz band from St. Olaf College in Northfield as the nation's top undergraduate large ensemble. "Jazz One" is the only Minnesota band to make this year's Downbeat honors.

by Euan Kerr

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April 29, 2011 12:00 AM

Jazz legend Irv Williams

At 91, Irv Williams has earned the right to slow down a bit. But this Minnesota jazz legend has just released another CD and still performs. Irv stops by to talk about his life, his music and his work with Ella Fitzgerald and Fletch Henderson.

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April 27, 2011 12:00 AM

Janis Ian performs in the Maud Moon Weyerhauser studio

At age 14, Janis Ian wrote a controversial song that sailed to the top of the charts. It was 1964, and "Society's Child" told the story of a forbidden interracial romance. Nearly 50 years later, Ian is still making bold statements with her music.

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April 25, 2011 12:00 AM

What music does to the mind

Listening to your favorite song can have an intense emotional effect, triggering memories and feelings unlike anything else. But what makes music so expressive? Dr. Daniel Levitin and Thomas Plaunt join us to discuss what happens to your brain on music.

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April 15, 2011 3:55 PM

Mpls. musician takes low-key approach to his work

Minneapolis singer-songwriter Ben Weaver is known for deeply imagistic lyrics and an ability to reduce songs to their bare elements. He won't tell you what he thinks his song "East Jefferson" means. That's for you to decide.

by Chris Roberts

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April 12, 2011 9:51 AM

New music from three artists that call Minnesota home

It's a big week for the local music scene. Minneapolis-based hip-hop act Atmosphere, Duluth-based Indie rockers Low, and local songstress Haley Bonar all release new albums this week. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with David Campbell for a preview of their new records. Campbell is the host of the Local Show, Sundays on 89.3 The Current.

by Cathy Wurzer and David Campbell

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April 7, 2011 5:50 PM

Controversial dance returns 30 years after first run

In 1979 a dance performance at the Northrop Auditorium on the U of M campus in Minneapolis outraged the audience. Some people booed and walked out. The object of the derision was a piece simply called "Dance" by choreographer Lucinda Childs with music composed and performed by Philip Glass. Now 32 years later, they've returned to mount the piece again at the Walker Art Center this weekend.

by Euan Kerr

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