Skip to main content

© 2026 NPR Illinois

For your right to be curious.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

NPR Illinois is conducting a listener survey, and we want to hear from you. It closes November 25. Thank you for helping NPR Illinois better serve our community.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete: https://go.uis.edu/NPRIL26

Sarah Geledi

Sarah Geledi left her job in advertising in Montreal to pursue a career in music in New York City. She fulfilled that mission, producing content for the JAM Festival at WBGO, segments for The Checkout, and programs for WWOZ and PRI's Afropop Worldwide. She also served as a producer for NYC Winter Jazzfest before landing the "job of her dreams," producing radio for Jazz Night in America.

Singers Candice Hoyes and Kelly Green refuse to be boxed in

Sarah Geledi, Simon Rentner

In their respective careers, Hoyes and Green have never wanted to be just one thing. Hear what happens when they refuse to choose.
Keyon Harrold celebrates 100 years of Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall

Sarah Geledi

To mark the occasion of Miles Davis' centennial, trumpeter Keyon Harrold put on a concert at Carnegie Hall and shared a candid conversation about the legend with Christian McBride.
Flea returns to his first love: jazz

Sarah Geledi, Simon Rentner

Flea's first musical love wasn't rock. It was jazz. The iconic bassist joins Christian McBride to talk about his debut solo album, Honora, and his return to the music that started it all.
Three is not a crowd: Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda and Antonio Sánchez are BEATrio

Sarah Geledi

Banjo, harp and drums meet in the BEATrio, where Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda and Antonio Sánchez explore a sound they never planned to create. Hear how the trio first came together.
Saxophonist Nicole Glover had to face herself to find her sound

Emily Springer, Sarah Geledi

Glover fought to build a life in music. From Portland, Ore., to New York City, her story traces resilience, creativity and the strength she found through sincerity.
50 years in 10 tracks: A career-spanning playlist from John Scofield

Sarah Geledi

Guitarist John Scofield picks 10 of his favorite tracks from his own catalog and shares the stories behind them as he celebrates 50 years of recorded music.
George Benson on success, critics and staying true to himself

Sarah Geledi, Trevor Smith

Vocalist, guitarist and jazz icon George Benson joins Christian McBride for a conversation about his early years on the jazz scene, fame and his new “lost” album.
The steel pan has a legacy. Jonathan Scales is redefining it.

Sarah Geledi, Simon Rentner

Meet a steel pan artist that will knock you out of your shoes. Jonathan Scales provides new angles to hear and appreciate his enigmatic instrument.
Celebrate 2024 with Toast of the Nation

Sarah Geledi, Simon Rentner

Ring in the New Year with electric live performances by Hiromi, Red Baraat, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra and Lizz Wright.
At 95, jazz icon Sheila Jordan still eats, drinks and breathes the music

Sarah Geledi

She's among the last living beboppers, one of the first singers on Blue Note and a pioneer of voice and bass. The legendary Sheila Jordan joins Christian McBride for a career-spanning conversation.