Music

Tumaini Festival in Africa: Unity Through Music

At the Tumaini Festival in Malawi, in East Africa, a 72-year-old singer, sporting tinted hair, oversized sunglasses, and a vibrant tracksuit, made her way onto the main stage, eliciting a wave of excitement from the crowd. “Who am I?” she asked the audience of approximately 12,000, who enthusiastically responded, “I am Jetu!” Tumaini, ...

Quincy Jones, the Man Who Revolutionized Music, Passes Away at 91

Quincy Jones, a music legend, passed away on November 3, 2024, in Los Angeles, at the age of 91. A visionary producer, accomplished musician, and a key figure in the music industry for more than seven decades. Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. discovered music at a young age in Seattle, where he became friends with Ray ...

Unpublished Waltz by Chopin: The Shadow of a Doubt

A mysterious yet nostalgic breeze seems to lift the dust of centuries, heralding the arrival of a musical harvest. The recent announcement, made on September 19 in Leipzig, Germany, of the discovery of a seven-movement string trio likely composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) during his youth, between the mid and late 1760s, has sparked ...

The Cure Releases First Album in 16 Years, 'Songs of a Lost World'

Legendary British band The Cure, fronted by charismatic Robert Smith, is back this Friday with Songs of a Lost World, their first album in 16 years, and it’s already earning rave reviews. This 14th studio album continues the legacy they built in the 1980s and 1990s with timeless hits like Boys Don’t Cry, Close to Me, and Friday I’m in Love. ...

John Williams Unveiled: Spielberg’s Tribute to a Legendary Composer

He composed “the soundtrack of our lives” with scores for Star Wars, E.T., and Indiana Jones, yet his own story remains lesser-known: John Williams, 92, opens up in a documentary produced by his “soul brother,” Steven Spielberg. Premiering Wednesday at the American Film Institute Festival in Los Angeles, before its November 1st release on ...

Puccini: The Brand Behind the Opera

Giacomo Puccini, the genius of Italian opera, is the subject of a captivating exhibition at La Scala in Milan, revealing the influence of the emerging media of the 20th century, such as records and cinema, on the global dissemination of his works. Titled Puccini – Opera Meets New Media, the exhibition revisits the emergence of the "Puccini ...

Amsterdam’s 750th Anniversary Celebrations Spotlight Iconic Jordaan Neighborhood’s Legacy

Amsterdam kicks off year-long celebrations this weekend to mark its 750th anniversary, with one ancient and formerly down-at-heel neighborhood playing a starring role in the festivities. Sitting cheek by jowl with the city’s Canal Belt, the once working-class Jordaan neighborhood is the setting for a new musical that its producers say captures ...

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead Bassist and Innovator, Dies at 84

Phil Lesh, an innovative bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away Friday at the age of 84, according to a statement on his Instagram account. For over three decades, Lesh, a classically trained musician, shared a deep musical partnership with Grateful Dead icon Jerry Garcia, helping create the band’s unique psychedelic ...

Cher, Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne Lead 2024 Rock Hall Inductees

Cher, Mary J. Blige and Ozzy Osbourne were among this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, formally joining the prestigious ranks at a star-studded gala concert. The ceremony took place in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 2024 class of honorees also included Kool & the Gang, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, A ...

Fans Gather Across the World to Mourn Liam Payne

Fans mourning Liam Payne's death gathered across Britain and beyond at organized vigils on Sunday, with at least 1,000 people paying tribute to the former One Direction star in central London. The vigils came four days after Payne tragically passed away at age 31, following a fall from the balcony of his Buenos Aires hotel room. His sudden death ...

Nearly 90, but Opera Legend Kabaivanska Is Still Calling Tune

Raina Kabaivanska was one of the greatest sopranos of her generation — arguably the greatest Tosca after Maria Callas. And even at 89, the Bulgarian singer remains a force in opera. Although she gave her last stage performance a decade ago, her influence continues through the young stars she mentors in her annual masterclass in Sofia. “When my ...