The following list shows the contents for every issue in the historic Music Alive! archives. Scroll down to take a trip back in time and see what we’ve covered since the beginning of publication.
2016-2017 Season
2015-2016 Season
2014-2015 Season
2013-2014 Season
2012-2013 Season
2011-2012 Season
2010-2011 Season
2016-2017 Season
OCTOBER 2016
Cover: Alessia Cara
The Art of the Lyric
How Bachata Got Its Groove
Song of the Month: “Wild Things” by Alessia Cara
Listening Guide: Prince’s “When Doves Cry”
Music Notes: Frank Ocean double album fiasco, Afghan guitar school for girls, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier
Cool Careers: Music publisher Robert Thompson, Music Sales Group
Now Playing: The Minimoog Model D
NOVEMBER 2016
Cover: Zara Larsson
The Art of the Tune
Songs on Screen: The History of Music Videos
Song of the Month: “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson
Listening Guide: Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime”
Music Notes: Grace VanderWaal, marching director Betsy McCann, Carl Sagan’s golden record
Cool Careers: Ovation Music Fund executive director Wendy Winks
Now Playing: The Chapman Stick
DECEMBER 2016
Cover: Troye Sivan
The Art of Home Production
Beyond the Spotlight: On the Influence of Background Singers
Song of the Month: “Youth” by Troye Sivan
Listening Guide: Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move”
Music Notes: YOLA celebrates 10th anniversary tour, Bob Dylan Nobel Prize, creative AI
Cool Careers: Video game audio designer Griffin Cohen, Firaxis Games
Now Playing: The mbira
JANUARY 2017
Cover: Justin Timberlake
How Reggae Got Its Groove
Put to Fair Use: A Battle of Copyright
Song of the Month:“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
Listening Guide: Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons”
Music Notes: 44th AMAs, OK GO’s new music video, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Cool Careers: Billboard executive director of Latin content, Leila Cobo
Now Playing: The glass armonica
FEBRUARY 2017
Cover: Leon Bridges
Offbeat Notation
Electronica Origins
Song of the Month: “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges
Listening Guide: Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Music Notes: First fan-curated music festival, Pharrell Williams visits NYC school, Milt Okun in memoriam
Cool Careers: Owner, IMG Agency & Records Anastasia Wright
Now Playing: The cajón
MARCH 2017
Cover: Kelsea Ballerini
Women in Music
The Gamelan Way
Song of the Month: “Peter Pan” by Kelsea Ballerini
Listening Guide: The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love”
Music Notes: La La Land at the Oscars, David Byrne’s Contemporary Color, Good Vibrations music festival for the deaf, Vinci smart headphones
Cool Careers: Assistant director of bands & director of marching and athletic bands at the University of Minnesota, Betsy McCann
Now Playing: The harpejji
APRIL 2017
Cover: Little Big Town
How We Listen: A history of recording formats
The Latin Jazz Connection
Song of the Month: “Better Man” by Little Big Town
Listening Guide: Duke Ellington Orchestra’s “Take the ‘A’ Train”
Music Notes: Ed Sheeran breaking records, violinist Gaelynn Lea, Van Halen gives back, social media platform musical.ly, wearable music wristbands
Cool Careers: Vice president of market solutions at Avid, Alan Hoff
Now Playing: The daxophone
MAY 2017
Cover: Dan + Shay
The Modern Classics: Interviews with three contemporary classical composers
How to Start a Band
Song of the Month: “From the Ground Up” by Dan + Shay
Listening Guide: From Disney’s Moana, “How Far I’ll Go”
Music Notes: Chuck Berry in memoriam, Chance the Rapper gives to Chicago public schools, the encephalogram
Cool Careers: Freelance producer, mixer, and engineer Nic Hard
Now Playing: The erhu
2015-2016 Season
OCTOBER 2015
Cover: Rachel Platten
Music of the States: California
B.B., King of the Blues: Remembering an American musical great
Song of the Month: “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Listening Guide: Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance”
Music Notes: The launch of Apple Music, Hollis Brown, YPHIL
Cool Careers: TV composer Tony Pasko
Now Playing: The sarod
NOVEMBER 2015
Cover: Tori Kelly
1995: How music made two decades ago has influenced what’s on today’s charts
World Beat: The sounds of Colombia
Song of the Month: “Should’ve Been Us” by Tori Kelly
Listening Guide: Twenty One Pilots’ “Stressed Out”
Music Notes: Gloria and Emilio Estefan musical opens on Broadway, Rap Rebirth, prize-winning banjoist Danny Barnes
Cool Careers: Mint Records co-founder Bill Baker
Now Playing: The crumhorn
DECEMBER 2015
Cover: Chvrches
Music of the States: Florida
Ol’ Blue Eyes at 100: A birthday tribute to Frank Sinatra
Song of the Month: “Leave a Trace” by Chvrches
Listening Guide: Omi’s “Cheerleader”
Music Notes: Hamilton (the musical), Meredith O’Connor, Lang Lang
Cool Careers: Entertainment attorney Dina LaPolt
Now Playing: The Guitorgan
JANUARY 2016
Cover: Pentatonix
On the Right Track (Part 1): Our series on historic recording studios begins with a look at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn.
World Beat: The sounds of Nigeria
Song of the Month: “Sing” by Pentatonix
Listening Guide: Panic! at the Disco’s “Victorious”
Music Notes: Adele, Kwabs, Archie Shepp
Cool Careers: Commercial music composer Louis Robert King
Now Playing: The cuíca
FEBRUARY 2016
Cover: Lianne La Havas
Music of the States: Illinois
Saint of the Crescent City: Allen Toussaint Remembered
Song of the Month: “What You Don’t Do” by Lianne La Havas
Listening Guide: Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches”
Music Notes: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Joanna Newsom
Cool Careers: Music cognition researcher Aniruddh Patel
Now Playing: The Wagner tuba
MARCH 2016
Cover: Sara Bareilles
On the Right Track (Part 2): FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
World Beat: The sounds of Turkey
Song of the Month: “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles
Listening Guide: “Hold Back the River” by James Bay
Music Notes: David Bowie (1947-2016), Kamasi Washington, the Allen Eagle Escadrille marching band
Cool Careers: NPR associate producer Anastasia Tsioulcas
Now Playing: The hurdy-gurdy
APRIL 2016
Cover: X Ambassadors
Music of the States: Louisiana
How Jazz Got Free: The birth of the avant-garde
Song of the Month: “Renegades” by X Ambassadors
Listening Guide: “When We Were Young” by Adele
Music Notes: Kanye West, Postmodern Jukebox, electric guitar documentary
Cool Careers: Acoustician and studio designer Michael Cronin
Now Playing: The Conn-O-Sax
MAY 2016
Cover: Gwen Stefani
On the Right Track (Part 3): London’s Abbey Road Studios
Masters of Rhythm: The greatest bass/drum teams, and what makes them great
Song of the Month: “Make Me Like You” by Gwen Stefani
Listening Guide: “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
Music Notes: Billy Joel, Lukas Graham, Music Alive! 35th anniversary quiz
Cool Careers: Front-of-house sound engineer Brett Orrison
Now Playing: The Optigan
2014-2015 Season
OCTOBER 2014
Cover Artist: MAGIC!
Music Notes: Drum Corps International, Music Maker Relief Foundation, Yamaha Young Performing Artists
Music of the States: Texas
Marching Bands (Part 1): The History
Song of the Month: “Rude” (MAGIC!)
Listening Guide: 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Everything I Didn’t Say”
Cool Careers: Trygge Toven, music supervisor for Vidsyn
Now Playing: The Artiphon Instrument 1
NOVEMBER 2014
Cover Artist: “Weird Al” Yankovic
Music Notes: U2, Kate Bush, Unlocking the Truth
A Vinyl Revival
World Beat: Madagascar
Song of the Month: “Word Crimes” (“Weird Al” Yankovic)
Listening Guide: Ariana Grande’s “Problem”
Cool Careers: Armando Vega, guitar marketing manager for Yamaha
Now Playing: The Baldwin Fun Machine
DECEMBER 2014
Cover Artist: Shawn Mendes
Music Notes: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Angie Miller, Guitar Mash
The Music of 1984
Marching Bands (Part 2): The Instruments
Song of the Month: “Life of the Party” (Shawn Mendes)
Listening Guide: Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”
Cool Careers: Cindy Charles, music law and business affairs expert
Now Playing: The Roland TR-808
JANUARY 2015
Cover Artist: Rixton
Music Notes: Bob Dylan, Aaryn Rose, Fela Kuti documentary
What Is EDM?
Music of the States: Michigan
Song of the Month: “Appreciated” (Rixton)
Listening Guide: Katy Perry’s “Roar”
Cool Careers: Fred Beteille, product manager for YouTube
Now Playing: The sarrusophone
FEBRUARY 2015
Cover Artist: Aloe Blacc
Music Notes: Whitney Houston, Pentatonix, Cornell University’s hip-hop archive
A Brief History of Funk
Marching Bands (Part 3): The Halftime Show
Song of the Month: “The Man” (Aloe Blacc)
Listening Guide: Selena Gomez’s “The Heart Wants What It Wants”
Cool Careers: Jonathan Azu, vice president and general manager of Red Light Management
Now Playing: The Bond Electraglide guitar
MARCH 2015
Cover Artist: Becky G
Music Notes: Pops Staples, Sophia Grace, Avril Lavigne and the Special Olympics
Generation Next (famous music families)
World Beat: Afghanistan
Song of the Month: “Can’t Stop Dancin’” (Becky G)
Listening Guide: Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One”
Cool Careers: Julie Moe, senior marketing and communications manager for ole
Now Playing: Harry Partch’s Quadrangularis Reversum
APRIL 2015
Cover Artist: Jamie Cullum
Music Notes: Sleater-Kinney, Rhiannon Giddens, 2nd annual GRAMMY Music Educator Award winner
Marching Bands (Part 4): Taking Your First Steps
Music of the States: Washington
Song of the Month: “Don’t You Know” (Jamie Cullum)
Listening Guide: Ella Henderson’s “Glow”
Cool Careers: Vlado Meller, mastering engineer
Now Playing: The didgeridoo
MAY 2015
Cover Artist: Fifth Harmony
Music Notes: The “Blurred Lines” decision, Will Butler, Rascal Flatts goes back to school
Summer Blockbusters: The composers behind the season’s biggest movie soundtracks
World Beat: Lebanon
Song of the Month: “Sledgehammer” (Fifth Harmony)
Listening Guide: Imagine Dragons’ “Shots”
Cool Careers: Colin Lewis, vice-president of The Agency Group
Now Playing: The Zeta Strados electric violin
2013-2014 Season
October 2013
Cover Artist: John Mayer
All About Instruments: Saxophone
The Music of Video Games
Song of the Month: “Waiting on the World to Change” (John Mayer)
Listening Guide: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble”
Cool Careers: Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam
Music and Tech: How speakers work
November 2013
Cover Artist: Elton John
Ensembles: String quartet
Polka: The music and the dance
Song of the Month: “Circle of Life” (Elton John)
Listening Guide: Sara Bareilles’ “Brave”
Cool Careers: Music therapists Lisa Sandagata and Dr. Tina Brescia
Music and Tech: How technology changed the process of multitrack recording
December 2013
Cover Artist: Scotty McCreery
All About Instruments: Drum set
Mariachi: A Mexican Folk Tradition
Song of the Month: “The Trouble With Girls” (Scotty McCreery)
Listening Guide: Zedd feat. Foxes – “Clarity”
Cool Careers: Foley (sound effects) artist Shelley Roden
Music and Tech: An introduction to surround sound
January 2014
Cover Artist: R5
Ensembles: A cappella
Bossa Nova
Song of the Month: “Loud” (R5)
Listening Guide: Capital Cities’ “Safe and Sound”
Cool Careers: A.V. Club music editor Marah Eakin
Music and Tech: How we hear sound
February 2014
Cover Artist: Candice Glover
All About Instruments: Tuba
Music and the Olympics
Song of the Month: “Cried” (Candice Glover)
Listening Guide: Avicii’s “Wake Me Up”
Cool Careers: Aaron Zimmerman, director of programming and marketing, the Tobin Center, San Antonio, TX
Music and Tech: How tuners work
March 2014
Cover Artist: Imogen Heap
Bluegrass Ensembles
The Legacy of Soul Train
Song of the Month: “You Know Where to Find Me” (Imogen Heap)
Listening Guide: Keith Urban feat. Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us”
Cool Careers: Nate Albert, senior VP of A&R, Universal Republic Records
Music and Tech: How MIDI controllers work
April 2014
Cover Artist: Ellie Goulding
All About Instruments: Bass
The History of Popular Music Charts
Song of the Month: “Burn” (Ellie Goulding)
Listening Guide: Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”
Cool Careers: Heather Willensky, account executive, Vanacore Music
Music and Tech: How mixing boards work
May 2014
Cover Artist: Ledisi
Ensembles: Big bands
Summer Staged: The History of American Music Festivals
Song of the Month: “I Blame You” (Ledisi)
Listening Guide: One Direction’s “Story of My Life”
Cool Careers: Tree Paine, SVP of Publicity, Warner Music Nashville
Music and Tech: Noise-isolating earbuds
2012-2013 Season
October 2012
Cover Artist: Owl City
Music Notes: Michael Kiwanuka, Matt Bednarsky, Gracie Schram
On Key: An Introduction to Keyboard Instruments, Part 1 (organ, harmonium, accordion, melodica)
Heavy Metal: The Early Years
World Beat: The Music of Senegal
Song of the Month: “Shooting Star” (Owl City)
Cool Careers: Barry Shank, Ohio State University
Music & Technology: From wax and metal cylinders to shellac
Rock’s Back Page: James Brown records Live at the Apollo (October 1962)
November 2012
Cover Artist: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Music Notes: Gotye, Blood Red Shoes, Hip-Hop Public Health
On Key: An Introduction to Keyboard Instruments, Part 2 (harpsichord, clavichord, piano)
Blue Notes: What They Are, How They Work
Baton Pointers: The Art of Conducting, Part 1 (legendary conductors)
Song of the Month: “Never Go Back” (Grace Potter & the Nocturnals)
Cool Careers: Jonathan Cohen, music booker for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Music & Technology: Spotlight on vinyl
Rock’s Back Page: Bruce Springsteen’s first trip to England (November 1975)
December 2012
Cover Artist: The Lumineers
Music Notes: The 78 Project, Lindsey Stirling, Jimi Hendrix at the EMP Museum
On Key: An Introduction to Keyboard Instruments, Part 3 (idiophones and electric keyboards)
Tunes on the Tube: A brief history of music on TV
World Beat: The Music of Vietnam
Song of the Month: “Ho Hey” (The Lumineers)
Cool Careers: Hollywood orchestrator and composer Penka Kouneva
Music & Technology: Magnetic tape
Rock’s Back Page: The death of John Lennon (December 1980)
January 2013
Cover Artist: Zac Brown Band
Music Notes: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Baker, Hurricane Sandy benefits
On Key: An Introduction to Keyboard Instruments, Part 4 (analog and digital synthesizers)
America’s Songbook, Part 1: Irving Berlin and Cole Porter
Baton Pointers: The Art of Conducting, Part 2 (20th-century masters)
Song of the Month: “The Wind” (Zac Brown Band)
Cool Careers: Sony Electronics product manager Karl Kussmaul
Music & Technology: CDs and digital media
Rock’s Back Page: DJ Alan Freed puts on his first New York show (January 1955)
February 2013
Cover Artist: Alicia Keys
Music Notes: The Joe Smith archive at the Library of Congress, Tim and the Space Cadets, Ingrid Michaelson
The Families of Gospel
Stages in History, Part 1: The Apollo Theater
World Beat: The Music of Russia
Song of the Month: “No One” (Alicia Keys)
Cool Careers: Concert producer Art Edelstein
Music & Technology: Close and distance miking
Rock’s Back Page: Tina Turner takes home some Grammys (February 1985)
March 2013
Cover Artist: Alabama Shakes
Music Notes: Mika Newton, Vintage Trouble, Sean Forbes
Stages in History, Part 2: The Troubadour
America’s Songbook, Part 2: Great songwriting teams
Baton Pointers: The Art of Conducting, Part 3 (the new generation)
Song of the Month: “Hold On” (Alabama Shakes)
Cool Careers: Luthier Erich Solomon
Music & Technology: Mechanical and tape effects
Rock’s Back Page: The Ramones play their first show (March 1974)
April 2013
Cover Artist: Imagine Dragons
Music Notes: Charlotte Church, Cloud Cult, Mor ve Otesi
Stages in History, Part 3: Preservation Hall
The Life and Music of Charles Mingus
Scat Singing
Song of the Month: “It’s Time” (Imagine Dragons)
Cool Careers: Sound installation consultant Matt Emmi
Music & Technology: Chorus and pitch-shifting effects
Rock’s Back Page: Bill Haley records “Rock Around the Clock” (April 1954)
May 2013
Cover Artist: Dido
Music Notes: PSY, Flutronix, American Composers Orchestra
Stages in History, Part 4: Royal Albert Hall
Rap Meets Rock
America’s Songbook, Part 3: Modern masters
Song of the Month: “Loveless Hearts” (Dido)
Cool Careers: Alexis Rodich, director of artist services for Bandsintown
Music & Technology: Sound libraries
Rock’s Back Page: Pink Floyd transforms the rock concert experience (May 1967)
2011-2012 Season
October 2011
Cover Artist: Colbie Caillat
Music Notes: Jay-Z and Kanye West, Alana Springsteen
Roots and Branches (Part 1 of Music Alive!’s History of Country Music)
Singing the News: Topical Songs
Youth & the Classics: Up-and-Coming Classical Musicians
Team Spirit: Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves, and Their Collaborators
Song of the Month: “Realize”
Cool Careers: Jay Lifton, composer for film and television
Music & Technology: Tech Talk with Mr. Peavey discusses the difference between acoustic and electric guitars
Back in the Day: Blues singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi
November 2011
Cover Artist: Gavin DeGraw
Music Notes: Fania All-Stars, Marques Toliver, the Children’s Chorus of Washington
First Nashville, Then Bakersfield (Part 2 of Music Alive!’s History of Country Music)
Going Global: Rock Gets Multicultural
Broadway Forever, Part 1: Vintage Musicals that Keep Coming Back for More
Road Warrior: An Exclusive Interview with Gavin DeGraw
Song of the Month: “I Don’t Want to Be”
Cool Careers: Vickie Nauman, North American vice president of 7digital
Music & Technology: The upsides and downsides of music software
Back in the Day: Electronic pop maestro Thomas Dolby
December 2011
Cover Artist: Evanescence
Music Notes: Coldplay and Rihanna, Nikolai Baskov, Bette Midler
Outlaws and Rockers (Part 3 of Music Alive!’s History of Country Music)
World Beat: The Music of Egypt
Broadway Forever, Part 2: Modern Musicals with Staying Power
Song of the Month: “The Change”
Cool Careers: Video game music supervisor Tim Riley
Music & Technology: Tech Talk with Mr. Peavey discusses distortion and how it works
Back in the Day: Synth-rock pioneer Gary Numan
January 2012
Cover Artist: Hot Chelle Rae
Music Notes: Mindless Behavior, Jon Bon Jovi, “We the People”
Hats in the Ring (Part 4 of Music Alive!’s History of Country Music)
Lessons from the Old School: Early Hip-Hop
Broadway Forever, Part 3: Musicals that Are Cool for Kids
Song of the Month: “I Like It Like That”
Cool Careers: Recording studio owner Patrick Brown
Music & Technology: Free audio software
Back in the Day: R&B singer Betty Wright
February 2012
Cover Artist: Anthony Hamilton
Music Notes: GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, Erin Barra, Jason Mraz
On the Floor, Part 1: Setting the Stage for Disco
World Beat: The Music of Cuba
Strings Attached, Part 1: Plucked string instruments
Song of the Month: “Woo”
Cool Careers: Yahoo! Music website editor/producer Billy Johnson Jr.
Music & Technology: Tech Talk with Mr. Peavey discusses power amp distortion and the difference between tubes and transistors
Back in the Day: Detroit rock & soul man Mitch Ryder
March 2012
Cover Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Music Notes: Bob Dylan all-star tribute, the PreZcotts, the Traveling Guitar Foundation
On the Floor, Part 2: The Golden Age of Disco
Key Women in Jazz
Strings Attached, Part 2: Bowed string instruments
Song of the Month: “Mr. Know It All”
Cool Careers: Lauren Apolito, The Harry Fox Agency
Music & Technology: Software for learning how to read music
Back in the Day: Bonnie Raitt
April 2012
Cover Artist: My Morning Jacket
Music Notes: John Legend, Rumer, Jazz Appreciation Month
On the Floor, Part 3: Disco’s Legacy
World Beat: The Music of Portugal
Strings Attached, Part 3: “Exotic” stringed instruments
Song of the Month: “The Day Is Coming”
Cool Careers: Jazz radio host Eric Jackson
Music & Technology: Tech Talk with Mr. Peavey discusses what an audio chain is
Back in the Day: Mandrill’s Ric and Lou Wilson
May 2012
Cover Artist: Big Time Rush
Music Notes: Dr. John and Dan Auerbach, Bad Veins, Jerry Cantrell
Strings Attached, Part 4: Electric stringed instruments
Power Pop: Born in the ’60s, Still Going Strong
What Makes a Song a Classic?
Song of the Month: “Stand by Me”
Cool Careers: Entertainment lawyer Judy Tint
Music & Technology: Music software for iPhones and iPads
Back in the Day: Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff
2010-2011 Season
October 2010
Cover Artist: Selena Gomez
Teen Idols: The Golden Years (Part 1 of Music Alive!’s History of Teen Pop)
When Hip-Hop Met Jazz
Great Composers 1: Richard Strauss
From Barney’s Buddy to Bandleader: A Profile of Singer-Actress Selena Gomez
Song of the Month: “Round & Round”
Cool Careers: Paul Bachmann, concert photographer
Back in the Day: Soul singer Sharon Jones
November 2010
Cover Artist: The Goo Goo Dolls
Jukebox Musicals, Part 1: American Idiot
Put On A Happy Face: The Teen Scene 1970-1990 (Part 2 of Music Alive!’s History of Teen Pop)
World Beat: The Music of Mali
Something for All of Us: A Profile of Veteran Rock Band the Goo Goo Dolls
Song of the Month: “Broadway”
Cool Careers: Samantha Cox, Executive Director of Writer-Publisher Relations, BMI
Music & Technology: How sound works
Back in the Day: Sara Quin of indie rockers Tegan and Sara
December 2010
Cover Artist: Ryan Star
Teen Idols: The Digital Years (Part 3 of Music Alive!’s History of Teen Pop)
Jukebox Musicals, Part 2: Million Dollar Quartet
Great Composers 2: Tchaikovsky
Star on the Rise: A Profile of Singer/Songwriter Ryan Star
Song of the Month: “This Could Be the Year”
Cool Careers: Eric Loux, live sound engineer
Music & Technology: Amplifiers
Back in the Day: Jazz bassist Stanley Clarke
January 2011
Cover Artist: KT Tunstall
New Soul for a New Year: R&B Up-and-Comers
World Beat: The Music of Pakistan
Jukebox Musicals, Part 3: Fela!
Song of the Month: “Fade Like a Shadow”
Cool Careers: Juels Thomas, Education and Events Manager, Drum Workshop
Music & Technology: Speakers and headphones
Back in the Day: Classical piano virtuoso Lang Lang
February 2011
Cover Artist: John Legend and the Roots
Takin’ Care of Business: African-American Music Entrepreneurs
Percussively Yours, Part 1: Hand percussion
Great Composers 3: Erik Satie
Song of the Month: “Wake Up Everybody”
Cool Careers: Chris Hicks, Executive Vice President, Island Def Jam Records
Music & Technology: Early electronic instruments
Back in the Day: Singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon
March 2011
Cover Artist: Hanson
Percussively Yours, Part 2: Female drummers
World Beat: The Music of Mongolia and Tuva
Classical Women: Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn
Song of the Month: “Give a Little”
Cool Careers: Serona Elton, Assistant Professor, Music Business and Entertainment Industries, University of Miami
Music & Technology: Sampling and looping
Back in the Day: Bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs
April 2011
Cover Artist: OK Go
John Coltrane: 50 Years of Favorite Things
Percussively Yours, Part 3: Pitched percussion
Jazz Goes Global
Song of the Month: “White Knuckles”
Cool Careers: René Martinez, guitar technician for John Mayer
Music & Technology: Multitrack recording
Back in the Day: Saxophonist Joe Lovano
May 2011
Cover Artist: Adele
The Spread of Jam: A History of Jam Bands
Percussively Yours, Part 4: Marching percussion
The Minimalists: From Reich to Adams
Song of the Month: “Someone Like You”
Cool Careers: Leni Boorstin, director of community affairs, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Music & Technology: The modern recording studio
Back in the Day: R&B songwriter/producer Kenny Gamble