Music

Baritone Sanford Sylvan. He portrayed Zhou Enlai in John Adams' "Nixon in China." He's a regular in Peter Sellars' repertory company, having played in "The Marriage of Figaro," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." He's playing the title role in Adams's "Death of Klinghoffer," which has its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September. He also has his first solo record, "Beloved That Pilgrimage," on which he is accompanied by pianist, David Breitman. (on the Nonesuch label).

Milo Miles reviews the music of two African guitarists: Diblo Dibala and Zanzibar, he heads a band called Les Têtes Brulées.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Warm Your Heart." It's the first solo album in a decade from Aaron Neville, of the Neville Brothers. The album was produced by Linda Rondstadt.

World music commentator Milo Miles tells us about David Byrne's latest anthologies of world music--Cuba Classics.

It was 10 years ago today that MTV first debuted. Television critic David Bianculli looks back at the network's influence.

A live concert with The Jolly Boys. They're a Jamaican band that plays a style of music called mento (It's the Jamaican analogue to calypso, and it paved the way for reggae and ska). The Jolly Boys have a new album on Rykodisc, called "Sunshine 'N' Water." The Jolly Boys include: Moses Deans on banjo, drummer and singer Allan Swymmer, Noel Howard on guitar, and Joseph Bennett on thumb piano.

Rock Historian Ed Ward reviews a 9-CD reissue from the old soul label Stax, the Memphis label that brought us Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, and Booker T and the MG's.

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews music from Haiti by the group Boukman Eksperyans. ("Vodou Adjae", on the Mango label).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Blind Willie Johnson, an itinerant gospel singer who traveled the South between the 20s and the 40s. Unlike many of his peers, Johnson was a master guitarist.

Lea started singing in the 1950s; she recorded her first album in 1955 to critical acclaim. After a hiatus from music, she made a comeback during the 70s in New York's cabaret world. Today, Lea is accompanied in studio by pianist Tony Tamburello. In honor of Cole Porter's 100th birthday, they perform several of the songwriter's compositions.