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Soundcheck

Monday, February 20, 2006
  • Branford Album

    Crossing Color Lines

    Saxophonist Branford Marsalis has created a CD titled "Romare Bearden Revealed." Performing with his quartet, Marsalis pays tribute to the painter's remarkable collages of blues and jazz musicians by arranging songs that had inspired the artist. Marsalis talks with host John Schaefer about his relationship to Bearden, whom he befriended in the 1980s. Also: The Imani Winds, a young, New York-based wind quintet of African/Latin American heritage, has just released a CD titled "The Classical Underground." It features jazz- and Latin-inspired classical music that shakes up the expectations of the genre. Members of the ensemble stop by to share their vibrant music. Please note: This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.

Branford Marsalis

The saxophonist talks about his CD inspired by the paintings of Romare Bearden.
» Branford Marsalis's Web site

» Romare Bearden Foundation Web site

Imani Winds

The Imani Winds discuss their Grammy-nominated CD, the Classical Underground.
» Imani Winds Web site

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.