Music

Many contemporary musicians cite Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young as among the prime innovators of jazz sax saxophone. But historian Loren Schoenberg says we shouldn't overlook the soulful contributions of Herschel Evans, who played with Count Basie's band.

Fresh Air's rock critic combs the music charts to see which artists are making a splash internationally, but failing to find success in the United States. He features songs by Roxette, Holly Johnson, Neneh Cherry, and Queen.

The American composer was born in the 19th century, and has won nearly every major music award. At 93, he still lives in New York's Chelsea Hotel. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new album of his symphonic and operatic works.

Its easy for musicians to fall out favor in the city if they don't keep up with the latest sounds. But Lee Dorsey, who started singing at 35, was never interested in following the trends. Rock historian Ed Ward has this profile.

The vocal and bass duo's 1982 album, Old Time Feeling, has just been reissued. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Harvie's orchestral playing never loses sight of the bass player's foundational role, and Jordan's risk-taking singing steers her far away from lounge territory.

A live concert with songwriter and pianist Charles Brown. Brown is credited with creating an expressive style of blues that blended rough Texas blues with the soft glamour of Hollywood. Between 1946 and 1952, Brown recorded 20 hits, nine on his own, the rest as part of Johnny Moore's Blazers. He is featured in a new PBS documentary on the history of rhythm and blues.

The new Batman film has spawned two soundtrack albums -- one of Danny Elfman's orchestral score, and the latter a collection of songs written and performed by Prince. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the artist doesn't quite succeed in crafting the rock opera he strove for, but it's refreshing to hear hear him loosen up and let it all hang out.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the soprano's new recital album on Nonesuch. He says the album succeeds both because of its performances and program.

The Chicago-born Williams sang for the Count Basie Orchestra before beginning a solo career in 1962. In the 1940s, he suffered a nervous breakdown, unsure of what he wanted out of his professional life. After a year in the hospital, he returned to performing, and has a new album called In Good Company.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Chicago-based vocal group, founded in 1952. During their long career, they've only had two lineup changes, and continue to put out hit records.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says trumpeter Don Cherry is a curious figure in the scene: lyrical but sloppy, he's played with diverse musicians ranging from Ornette Coleman to Lou Reed. On his new album, Art Deco, Cherry reigns in some of his more exploratory impulses to produce a straight-ahead but modern sound -- and it pays off.

The prolific songwriter and performer has been living in Idaho, away from the public eye. Now she returns with a new, more rocking album. King joins Fresh Air to talk about dropping out college to pursue a music career, writing songs with her former husband Gerry Goffin for other artists, and becoming a solo artist.

Coppola has written the music for several films of his son, Francis Ford Coppola, including the Godfather I and II. He has written a new score for the silent film Napoleon; he'll soon conduct a live performance of that music during a screening at Radio City Music Hall.

The former Silly Wizard fiddler isn't surprised by the international success of his music. Cunningham says that he can even here echoes of Scottish sounds in traditional American music.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that record labels have started to take notice of underground artists from the Soviet Union. He reviews three recent albums from Russian artists with hopes of American success.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording of the recent opera Valis, based on Philp K. Dick's novel of the same name. He says much of the music is haunting, but is often repetitive and sentimental. Yet it's still a beguiling piece of wizardry.

Rock historian Ed Ward says that bands like the Rolling Stones helped popularize the distinctly African American genre. Interest in blues led more musicians to picking up the electric guitar, including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, who would take rock music in a new direction.

Part II of the Fresh Air interview with Danny Elfman. He talks about writing the score for Tim Burton's new Batman movie. He sees his film composing as entirely distinct from his work in the rock band Oingo Boingo. The different approaches, he says, serve both efforts.

Part one of the Fresh Air interview. Elfman is a rock musician who fronts the band Oingo Boingo. When Tim Burton hired him to write score for Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Elfman had to teach himself to read music -- a skill he never needed in the past.

The wind and reed player has been self-releasing well-reviewed albums for years, even though they haven't earned him the attention he deserves. Kevin Whitehead says Golia's music is unconventional and sometimes raw. He recommends three recent releases featuring Golia's playing.