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Long before he became a mega-star in the 1950s, Nat King Cole's velvety voice was captivating audiences as part of the Nat King Cole Trio. Formed in 1937 after an inn manager needed a club act, the group went on to stardom, ranking No. 1 on the first ever Billboard album chart.

Hosts and entertainers at the annual show recognizing Black excellence in the arts and sports criticize the recent Supreme Court decision the landmark overturning Roe v. Wade.

The R&B star was convicted in New York last year of sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, sex trafficking and racketeering.

In the piano trio, only three instruments are involved, so the thoughts and actions of musicians must be absolutely in sync with one another. Pianists like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett have led legendary trios, but here are five piano-trio leaders who keep the acoustic jazz tradition alive in fresh ways.

Aside from being America's current "Most Livable City," Pittsburgh is known as a home of great pro sports teams and many legends of jazz, including Art Blakey. But WDUQ shines a light on the Pittsburgh jazz musicians working around town these days.

Author Thomas Mallon's sweeping new historical novel captures a slice of gay life in mid-to-late 20th century America as it reimagines the life — and violent death — of B-list actor Dick Kallman.

Stephon Alexander once downplayed the connections he saw between jazz and physics, concerned that — as "the only black person" in his professional circle — his credibility would be questioned.

Novelists Nella Larsen, Wallace Thurman and George S. Schuyler forged their art in what W.E.B. Du Bois famously called the "double-consciousness" of African-Americans.

Gabriel Tallent's devastating debut novel about a young girl and her abusive but charismatic father has memorable characters, the pacing of a thriller, and still manages to work in some light moments.

Chang-Rae Lee is an award-winning author best known for his novels Native Speaker and The Surrendered. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Lee about his latest book On Such a Full Sea, a futuristic dystopian novel set in a declining America that's been repopulated by Chinese immigrant workers.