Maturity Brings a More Soulful Sound

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin writes about nature and environmental issues. He tells Fresh Air host Terry Gross about growing up, what drives him to write and his ecological advocacy. Merwin lives in Hawaii with his wife.

Sidney Bechet broke new ground as a soloist early in jazz's history, paving the way for nearly every saxophonist who came after him -- from Charlie Parker to Steve Lacey. RCA has just reissued a collection of his recordings. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has this review.

Journalist Bill Moyers is joining the ranks of television talk show hosts with his new PBS show. Eschewing the spectacle of programs helmed by Geraldo, Morton and Sally, Moyers conducts thoughtful interviews with public intellectuals. Television critic David Bianculli says Moyers really listens to his guests, giving their conversations more depth than what you'd find on network TV.