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'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears

'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears

John Zorn in performance in New York. Jonathan Chimene/WBGO hide caption

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Jonathan Chimene/WBGO

'This is not entertainment': John Zorn, all over Big Ears WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

January 26, 2023 • Composer and alto saxophonist John Zorn brings eight eclectic bands to the Big Ears Festival stage, ranging from solo classical piano to all-out electrified jams.

Hear the concert 56:07

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NPR Classical

This week, music you barely heard in Tár. The much-talked about movie earned six Oscar nods, and while it's set in the symphonic world, there's surprisingly little music. Hear full tracks from Mahler, Elgar and Thorvaldsdottir.

Viking's Choice

Comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Murder Falcon, Extremity) illustrates the music of Viking's Choice. Horns up! Daniel Warren Johnson hide caption

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Daniel Warren Johnson

Viking's Choice

This week: Dawn Ray'd's epic black metal, Art Ensemble of Chicago's decades-spanning free jazz, of Tropique's quirky exotica, Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru's piano spirituals.

The Alt.Latino Playlist

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The Alt.Latino Playlist

From your parents' favorite boleros reimagined to cumbia-punk, trapchata and the most PG-13 pop, Alt.Latino's got you you covered.

Heat Check

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Heat Check

The Heat Check playlist is your source for new music from around the worlds of hip-hop and R&B with an emphasis on bubbling, undiscovered and under-the-radar acts.

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Essential stories and videos from npr music

Adeem the Artist refines their ability to tell country tales from where they stand

Adeem the Artist's new album, White Trash Revelry, captures fresh awareness of the scrutiny they receive for the array of identities they embody in life and in song. Madison Miles/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Madison Miles/Courtesy of the artist

Adeem the Artist refines their ability to tell country tales from where they stand

On White Trash Revelry, Adeem worked to understand their white, Southern, working-class, pansexual, nonbinary country songwriting identity — and they have some pretty great jokes about it.

John Cale, ever restless, returns with the deeply collaborative 'Mercy'

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Marlene Marino/Courtesy of the artist

John Cale, ever restless, returns with the deeply collaborative 'Mercy'

The Welsh-born artist, a co-founder of The Velvet Underground, has been relentlessly creating for nearly 60 years. On his new album, he sounds as alive as ever.

A 'product child of Chicago,' KAINA is learning to savor the home she's made here

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Dennis Elliott/Courtesy of the artist

A 'product child of Chicago,' KAINA is learning to savor the home she's made here

The musician talks about her latest album, It Was A Home, and the creative community she's fostered in Chicago.

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All Songs Considered

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Alt.Latino

Latino arts and culture explained with music and conversation, presented by Felix Contreras.

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Fresh Air Interviews

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From The Top

NPR Music presents From The Top program highlights. For the complete From The Top program website, visit www.fromthetop.org.

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Jazz Night

Jazz Night In America is a public radio program, a video concert documentary series, and an online home for the music, from NPR Music, WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

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Mountain Stage

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Piano Jazz

Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.

The Thistle & Shamrock

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The Thistle & Shamrock

Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

World Cafe

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World Cafe

WXPN in Philadelphia and host Raina Douris present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

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