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Whether blaring to the stratosphere or holding back to fit a room, Jon Faddis' trumpet is always in conversation. Faddis is a personal hero to many aspiring trumpeters. Here, he performs at Jazz Standard in New York with his quartet and guest percussionists from West Africa.

The new album from the Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots contains verses from the perspective of a child soldier in Sierra Leone, a campus shooter in America, and those in the grip of addictions. Rising Down may be the group's best album.

Recently, the jazz-guitar virtuoso released his first studio recording in more than a decade. In a session on Jazz24, Jordan talks about his musical and personal evolution over the past 10 years, as well as his ongoing study of music's role in the healing process.

The Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates 50 years of great music this weekend. Musician David Was reflects on the festival and reviews a new set of archival Monterey CDs featuring Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.

Fresh Air's rock critic reviews The Con, the fifth album from Canadian twins Tegan and Sara Quin. Their music has been heard in a number of American TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy, The L Word and Medium.

In the 1950s, New York's Hickory House was known for its sizzling steaks and a swinging jazz trio led by a young female pianist with a British accent and a God-given touch. McPartland, along with bassist Joe Morello and drummer Bill Crow, held court at the Hickory House for more than a decade.

The legendary jazz trumpeter and composer premiered the seven-part Monterey Moods suite at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Hear his celebratory exploration of all the various forms of jazz that have come through Monterey in its 50 years.

"You Can't Fail Me Now" began life on Loudon Wainwright III's new album, but co-writer and producer Joe Henry reworks it on his own new album. Formerly a slow, hookless strings-and-guitar ballad, it's now more sparse, more morose and even lovelier.

Some songs rely more on the ferocity of the person singing it than the song itself. On "I'm Gonna Change My Ways," Peter Case testifies with the conviction of a true believer and howls with the intensity of a recent convert.

Saxophonist Frank Morgan led a life compelling enough for the big screen. A protege of Charlie Parker, Morgan took a dark turn that led to drugs, prison and, ultimately, redemption through music.