In 1966, Otis Taylor was refused his high school diploma from Manual High School in Denver, Colo., for refusing to cut off his afro at the administration's request.

In his vintage Stetson, the Texas troubadour performed a set of songs that find new meaning in familiar country, folk and blues forms.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Mark O'Connor about his memoir, Crossing Bridges, on his journey from multi-instrumentalist child prodigy to solo artist composing and performing on world stages.

NPR Music's Tiny Desk series kicks off a celebration of Black History Month with this stunning performance from Lady Wray.

The young proponent of traditional music brought a talented band, his astonishing imagination and a selection of what he calls "Black folk music from the future" to the Tiny Desk.

Joe Bussard not only sought out obscure 78-rpm records that otherwise would have disappeared, but shared the music with giddy excitement.

The Philly rocker's latest album is titled (watch my moves) and he joins me to talk about the moves he's been making, who he's been working with and lots more.

The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

The blues singer plays a solo Tiny Desk home concert from a spare, dimly lit Austin office building.

Southern singer-songwriter Paul Thorn joins NPR's Debbie Elliott to talk about his latest record, Never Too Late To Call.

After a silent year in which artists were sent grants instead of invitations to perform, the beloved festival was determined to go on this year, as carefully as possible. And how possible is that?

Join us in an online listening party for Christone "Kingfish" Ingram's new album. With Gwen Thompkins in the host chair, we'll feature a live conversation with the blues guitarist.

Despite creating art from trauma, Russell is strengthened by love, connection and creation.