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He was a soulful reedman, an amazing talent scout for decades and a bandleader of one of the country's most popular acts. Born in 1913, Herman led "Thundering Herds" that were both big draws and well-respected by the likes of Igor Stravinsky. Here are five recordings which still sound fresh today.

Hear excerpts from three new albums, each telling a distinctly different American story — from a Toscanini-obsessed symphonic fantasy to a special preview of a majestic symphony of clashing cultures.

This summer has seen plenty of worthwhile jazz, including a pianist who's been around since the '50s, a Caribbean jazzman, a band of deliberate melody, and a cover from The Jungle Book. Sample recordings from Harold Mabern, Etienne Charles, the band Black Host and Lauren Desberg.

In the 1980s, pianist Michele Rosewoman and drummer Francisco Mora-Catlett started independently pursuing a mixture of Afro-Caribbean mysticism and avant-garde jazz. Thirty years later, they've finally recorded their otherworldly large ensembles.

The jazz trumpeter who made his first recordings 50 years ago this summer might be his instrument's least appreciated giant. Perhaps the trumpeter of the 1970s, Shaw was an icon for the generation that followed, as well as an innovator on his horn.

Montreal is a city of two cultures: French and English, usually commingling, sometimes colliding. The Montreal International Jazz Festival — Canada's grandest music event of the year — props up the city's elite Francophones. Here are five French or Quebecois artists featured this year.

Whether career sidemen, appealing experimentalists or critically acclaimed bands finally getting a look, new names are getting invited to the granddaddy of jazz festivals with greater frequency. Hear music from some of this year's crop, including Jonathan Batiste, David Gilmore and Dee Alexander.

The saxophonist explains why his band returns to a certain palate-cleansing, dairy-titled tune so often — and discusses his connection to its composer, long-time collaborator Ralph Alessi.

The symphony is far from a dead art form. Critic Donald Rosenberg says dozens and dozens of notable symphonies have been written in recent decades by composers eager to stretch themselves in unanticipated — but affecting — directions.

Lalo Alcaraz and Ilan Stavans' new book isn't just hilarious; it's also important. Like all good history books, it makes a point to say something important about the present and the future.