Music

Redford died at his home in Utah on Sept. 16. Fresh Air remembers Redford with three different archival interviews, which were broadcast Jan. 12, 1998, May 19, 1998 and Dec. 12, 2013.

Big Thief has a new album, as does Zach Top, a young country singer with roots in old country. And the Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey brings a classical-music and jazz influence to her pop songs.

Of all the folk songsters from the 1960s, Mitchell has proven to have the strongest influence on jazz singers. Joni's Jazz features her collaborations with stars like Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.

Bluegrass singer-songwriter Billy Strings talks with Fresh Air producer Sam Briger. Though he never took formal lessons, Strings learned to play the guitar by hanging around with his dad and listening to him play Doc Watson. Strings' newest album is a collaboration with bluegrass guitarist Bryan Sutton called Live at the Legion.

Younger follows in the footsteps of greats like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, using her instrument in many styles of jazz and pop music.

Sept. 1 marks what would have been Pepper's 100th birthday. Kevin Whitehead offers an appreciation of the jazz saxophonist, who started on clarinet at age 9. Pepper died in 1982.

Dion, a former teen idol, was deeply influenced by blues and country music. He had his first hit, "I Wonder Why," in 1958, with the doo-wop group The Belmonts. Originally broadcast in 2000.

Toussaint was an important behind-the-scenes figure in New Orleans R&B during the '50s and '60s. He later became known for his own recordings. He died in 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Wexler produced hits for Atlantic Records by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, and is credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues." He died in 2008. Originally broadcast in 1993.

Ben E. King was the lead singer of The Drifters, and later went solo with such hits as "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem." He died 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Leiber and Stoller met in LA when Leiber still was in high school. They went on to write and produce songs for artists like Elvis Presley, The Drifters and Ben E. King. Originally broadcast in 1991.

Baker was one of Atlantic Records' first big success stories, with a series of hits in the 1950s, including "Bumblebee" and "Jim Dandy." She died in 1997. Originally broadcast in 1991.

Brown started out in the '40s and influenced a host of singers, including Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Her hits include "Teardrops from My Eyes." She died in 2006. Originally broadcast in 1997.

James was discovered as a teen by talent scout Johnny Otis. Her career took off in the '60s with hits like "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "At Last." She died in 2012. Originally broadcast in 1994.

Otis, who died in 2012, started out leading a big band. Later, as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips and Etta James. Originally broadcast in 1989.

Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about his career, from touring with Elvis to singing at prisons. He died in 2003.

Phillips spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about launching Elvis Presley's career at Sun Records. He also produced early recordings of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. He died in 2003.

Jordan, who died Aug. 11, was a teen when she first heard a Charlie Parker recording. Later she became part of the jazz scene in Detroit and New York City. Originally broadcast in 1981 and 1988.

Crockett grew up poor and got his start busking for tips. He's since played the Hollywood Bowl and been nominated for a Grammy. He talks music and plays songs from his new album, Dollar A Day.

Bruce Springsteen's groundbreaking album, Born to Run, came out 50 years ago this month, marking a turning point for rock and roll — and for Springsteen. Carlin revisits the making of Born to Run in his new book, Tonight in Jungleland, which takes its name from the album's final track.